In The Artist Own Words

“A Great Artist once shared with me that the difference between Art and Skill is intention."

Since the beginning of my profession, my intention was to create a loving, complimentary likeness of my subject while offering them an experience where they felt elevated and celebrated for who they are. I discovered with this mindset, along with my light-hearted charm, my clients would relax and feel comfortable, expressing their inner personality with a smile. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a big or little smile, the true story was always told in their eyes. Helping people feel at ease has been a natural gift of mine. Clients have repeatedly shared this testament which I take as a high compliment.

When my youngest son went off to college a few years ago, I found myself as a single father of three, an empty nester with an opportunity of freedom I had never had before. Being in my early fifties, this seemed like the perfect time to sell my studio and…

At that time two things happened: I became very selective of whom I created portraits and I packed up to explore the world. First I found myself exploring. I ended up teaching English to grade school kids and novice monks in Thailand. I then headed off to fish for salmon and ride horseback in Alaska. Twice I found my way up to an island in Ontario, Canada to fish and cook with my cousins. Those visits were a blast! I spent many months in Wisconsin reconnecting with family and friends, some of which I hadn’t seen since high school.

I have also been blessed to make a few trips to Mazunte, Mexico the past few years, spending a couple months each trip. This is where I fell in love with Hatha Yoga. I experienced many new modalities and earned three yoga teaching certificates. And during all that travel, I flipped a house with a friend on the Oregon coast which helped to remind me that I’m actually really handy.

I mention all this to show that I’ve had a wonderful time these last handful of years but something was missing. The truth is, after my last trip from Mexico, I found myself sitting on my sofa looking around my home. What I absolutely treasure the most through the years and faithfully moved from home to home were the many wall portraits of my children. These same portraits now decorate my lovely home outside Bend, Oregon.

It wasn’t until I sat enjoying these beautiful portraits recently that I truly began to appreciate the wonderful gift I had given myself by creating these amazing portraits over the years. I sit here today, cherishing the beautiful children they were and appreciating the amazing adults they have become. My purpose and intention is to give this same gift to you and your family.”

With love, Trenton