PS: A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
Smiling Eye-Con Art
Commissions Accepted on a Limited Basis. The Price will be whatever the finished work means to you (which can include nothing). Proceeds go to Smiling Icon Book Publishing Projects.
As a portrait artist, I want to share one more ministry on this site---to help loved ones have a special “icon,” or image, of a loved one who has passed on.
Icons originally were painted to picture the reality of departed loved ones as they are now in heaven. I like to think the icon can be a two-way portal---it can communicate something we would like to be happening for them now as well.
A special focus now for this still-developing art “biz-nistry” is to paint “Smiling Eye-Con” portraits that communicate the spiritual beauty of each assignment accepted.
Special focus will be given to the subject’s eyes as the “windows of the soul.” And again, special consideration will be given to someone wanting a pictorial window to the life and love of a loved one who is now with Christ. I’m open to considering a limited number of commissions for the next two years.
The portrait above is a mother of my mom, the “training portrait” I cut my teeth on. An amazing artist, Pat Harris, stood over my shoulder and told me where to put the paint. She let me do a lot of it, but she did the white dot of the eyes herself.
And for me, after that, the rest was history. I wanted to capture the beauty of the beauty of not just her eyes, but anyone’s I ever paint. Once I get the “white dot” in the eyes, I have to wrestle with the painting until it feels right.
I’m willing to use that gift for others.
Projects will be accepted only on a case-by-case basis. But I’m willing to consider yours if you’re interested! The “charge” if you can call it that, is whatever the finished portrait is worth to you. And that can include nothing. If interested, though contact me at info@smilingicon.com, or leave your contact information on the form below.
Artist as a Young (and Olde) Man
This is entitled “A Portrait of the Artist as a Young (and Olde) Man.” Me young. Me olde.
Nicole Rebecca Warrior Princess
She is simply beautiful, more beautiful than she realizes. And so I have to keep painting this very paintable face. She may appear in the "Lizzie and the Magic Staircase." Uncle Louis might too.
The Legend of Lamppost Louis
If ever you’re in need on January 25, and somehow you are connected with a relative of uncle Louis, he may just be stepping into your life that day. But like all time and space travelers, his inter-dimensional flight always links into the inter-dimensional hub that even heavenly travelers have to connect through – – – New York City.
Pastel Pagona Series
Maria Pagona Stratakis was born in New York City in 1924, but moved back to Greece with her Greek family in the early 1930s, just in time to miss the Great Depression and just in time to live a life of idyllic luxury as the returning “successful” family to the tiny village of Agios Nikolaos.
Mid-Century Modern Mom
So Becky’s mom was a really fascinating lady, who lived a very tough life. Tough experiences in her early life led her to having to learn how to fight and assert. She came by it naturally. One of her ancestors was a major general in the Union Army in the Civil War..
Autumn Paige Turning a New Leaf
Paige always had beautiful deep-set eyes, eyes that spoke volumes. She would disagree. Often she's just being in the moment and gazing at what's going on around her..
Mama to the Rescue Part 2
This painting was inspired actually by a scripture in Zechariah chapter 8. It speaks of four chariots charging between two bronze mountains. It has somehow evolved into being one of the scenes in the story “Lizzie, and the Magic Staircase.”
Mama to the Rescue "Where Are You?"
So Pagona is not the only "Mama" who gets involved in helping Lizzie. Her own Mama, Ashley, does. With strength, power and little help (eventually) from the Book of Zechariah, Leonardo Da Vinci and Michael Angelo...
Pagona in Paris
Mama never went to Paris. But in my painting she has. Not just the Paris of today. But the Paris of Renoir. She finds herself watching (from heaven above) three granddaughters who never really knew her, but whom she knows today in heaven.
Renoir Dress Up
Lizzie wasn't the only little girl who used to jump into art. Her girl cousins did too. Julianne was the first and thought she'd be alone. But as he later learns, she's going to be joined by her cousins---and her great-grandmother who joined them all the way from heaven (see Pagona in Paris).
J M Barrie Tinkerbell Lizzie
So Lizzie learned that art wasn't boring, but could be an adventure. In her awakened mind's eye (and you've got one too, it just may be sleeping) she could jump into art, and become the character being depicted herself. And when she did, she could go on an art adventure all her own..
Hector The Chalcedonian Kitty
Hector plays a pivotal role in the story of "Lizzie and the Magic Staircase (or Magic Stare Cat, or Magic Scare Cat)." He makes his way to Lizzie as "The Good" Hector when he comes down the Magic Staircase and crosses the electron rainbow bridge...
Lizzie and the Magic Staircase
As soon as she closed her eyes and got into a semi-sleepy state, the ceiling of her room would turn cloudy and misty, and a magic staircase would descend. It would beckon her to come up. Every step she took the step behind her would disappear...
