WORKING FROM LIFE I often do portraits from life--especially if the family is from this area (the Research Triangle Area in North Carolina) and has had their baby delivered at Durham Regional or at the Duke University Medical Center. If you are from this area call me when the baby has arrived (hopefully at a reasonable hour), and I'll try to do the drawing in your hospital room before you are discharged. Otherwise you can make an appointment to bring your baby to my studio in downtown Durham--but please do it before the baby is two weeks old! After that babies often are too active to be drawn from life. On occasion I do travel to other locations to do drawings for families in their homes or at a hospital. For more details please contact me by clicking on the 'E-mail' button to the left.

WORKING FROM PHOTOS Often when I do a portrait for a family, especially of a child, I will work from photos--it is just so much easier for everyone! But even though I work from photos it would be ideal for me to meet the subject first hand to get a feel for his/her personality and coloring--especially if the family is from this area (the Research Triangle Park in NC). With a newborn it is not as necessary to meet them in person since their personality is just beginning to emerge, but for an older baby or child--it would be helpful to meet them at least once in person. But if that is not possible, I will have a lot of questions about personality, etc. If we do end up needing to work from photos and you are not entirely happy with any of the photos you may have on hand--I can easily combine several of your photos to get the effect you would like. For example, in the case of a baby portrait, you may be pleased with the baby's expression on one photo but not with the placement of his or her hands. Or you may not want the little knit cap that so many babies wear in  hospitals these days, to show up on the final drawing. In that case, send me a group of photos with the information I will need; like the baby without a cap or more photos of his/her hands. If you do send me a number of photos please include explicit directions as to what you want. Another option you have is to simply say "Edie, you decide!" and I'll pick out what photos I think are the best.

ABOUT THE PAPER When I do a portrait I always use the finest archival paper I can find: Arches Cover Stock. It is a creamy colored, soft to the touch paper that has the thickness of a good water color paper. I've worked with it for almost 20 years now and I still love the the feel of it under my fingers as I coax an image from its surface using only a small stick of vine charcoal, a charcoal pencil and a kneaded eraser. The paper has been made by a French company since the 1700s. It is 100% rag, acid free and will last for hundreds of years if properly cared for--the same care you would give any fine piece of art work. The paper for a newborn measures: 10 x 11", for a child: 11 x 15", and for an adult: 15 x 18". For more than one image (like for a family)--the largest I can go is: 22 x 30". Once the drawing is almost complete I'll send you a print of it by email or regular mail for your final approval. After approval and final payment I will 'fix' the drawing (so it will not smear) and send it on to you in a sturdy box to insure its safe arrival. Included in the package will be directions for the care of and framing of the finished portrait. prices more images