"The Twins"
©2015, 22" by 30", Watercolour
I owe my career as an artist in large part to my twin sons who came along shortly after I’d been laid off from my long-time career as a technical writer. When it came time for my wife to go back to work after her maternity, it made sense for me to become a stay-at-home father. In the rare moments that the boys allowed me my private-time, I pursued painting, something that had, theretofore, only been a hobby.
I tell you this because this painting was an homage to my twins (who were four at the time), even though it didn’t start that way. It started with me standing in my front yard talking to my neighbour one day and being struck by the way the light was hitting the tree in his front yard. The tree had a large empty knot-hole (what he affectionately called a Kiebler Elf Hole), and I thought that it would make a great painting, once I decided what kind of critter to put in it.
The answer as to what kind of critter came to me via social media. I had put out a request of my friends for suggestions as to what to paint in the hole. Naturally, I got suggestions such as hobbits, but I believe it was my brother who pointed out the obvious. Since my sons, like raccoons, were always getting into things they weren’t supposed to, the answer was clear.
The finished painting of the tree is pretty much an exact match to the source image, but for one exception. I made a subtle change to highlight the shape of a heart around the two raccoons that was already slightly obvious. Since the cubs represented my sons, it seemed only natural.
The Twins
Original Available
Frames
Prints
Reproductions of my art are available printed either on paper or canvas. Both formats are signed by me, the artist, and are high quality, full-colour prints of a high resolution scan or photograph of the original painting. All prints are inspected to ensure that the colours match the source and created using inks that are guaranteed to resist both fading and UV light.
Paper Reproductions
These are printed on high quality paper to give them the look and feel of the original painting. In terms of the dimensions listed, please keep in mind that they are approximate. Since I custom mat and frame the prints myself, I reproduce them at specific sizes so that when they are matted to standard matting dimensions, the mat-board borders are consistent widths on all sides. It’s because of this that I highly recommend that you upgrade to the matted version (seriously, go do it now).
Now, if you've ordered a print that is not a standard sized when matted, then I highly recommend that you go back and order it in a frame. As described in the sister section Frames, I do all my own framing using reclaimed wood and am affordable.
Stretched Canvases
If you want to avoid matting and framing altogether, then I suggest that you order the canvas option. I stretch the canvases myself using reclaimed wood and, with a profile that is an inch and a half thick, the art will make a strong statement on your wall.