Studio stories: Wolf and Baby Crow
I don’t take a lot of custom commissions. I’m a bit picky about what I want to take on, as I don’t like to just take a job for the money. There was a time when I did almost anything…trucks, cars, you name it…but those weren’t very authentic to me. As I became a more established artist, I decided to only take on commissions that had significance. I wanted them to be purposeful or meaningful beyond the art itself.
For this reason, I do a limited number of pet portraits, and occasionally other commissions that speak to my heart.
One of the most meaningful commissions I received was from a couple who came to me with a very special request that was so unique and touching, there was no way I wouldn’t say yes.
The couple had hired a surrogate to carry their baby. Although I didn’t know the full details of the relationship, it was evident that the couple clearly felt a very strong connection to the surrogate, and wanted to let her know in a thoughtful way how much she meant to them.
The couple’s last name was “Crowe” and the surrogate mother’s last name was “Wolff,” and they wanted a piece of art that depicted a wolf and a baby crow, in which the wolf was clearly nurturing the baby crow to emulate their relationship.
I still get teary just THINKING about this story.
In visualizing the artwork, it was important for me to capture this relationship in a delicate and beautiful way. I created three sketches with different compositions, but in all of them, the wolf was protective, gentle, and nurturing:
The customer chose layout #2 which had the crow and the wolf nose to nose. I smiled at this…because other species often greet one another this way. My cat, DaVinci, and my pup, Dakota, always come nose to nose when they reunite after some time apart. It is really very sweet and as if they are saying, “Hi, I missed you!” So, I loved that they chose #2, as it felt authentic.
The process of painting this commission was a true joy, and in this week’s video, I share the full process. You can watch the full unfolding of the painting in the below video.
0:00 Introduction
0:10 The story of the commission
1:39 The Layout that was Chosen
1:50 Who are DaVinci and Dakota?
2:00 Painting the Background
4:15 Painting of Wolf
8:15 Painting of Crow
I hope you enjoyed the story and watching the project unfold.
Keep calm and watercolor on,
