Downs’ Family Room

This was a neat challenge and fun painting to create for Lisa Downs and her family in Charlottesville. She reached out to me for a portrait of her home. Lisa wanted the background of the painting to be what she sees from her home’s front door. My task was putting two different views together in one painting. Their home is at the top of their neighborhood giving them beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. One mountain in particular in their view is Carter Mountain, a popular destination for peach and apple picking.

The Downs’ Home in Charlottesville, Virginia

View of Carter Mountain from the front porch.

I met with Lisa at her home for our consultation. As I stood on her front porch I understood why she wanted the view in her painting. (Photos of it did no justice!) She showed me their family room and wall where she wanted to hang the painting. We agreed on the size of the painting and I took note of her decor, other pieces of art and home’s color palette.

Family room

Back in my studio!

Early stage of creating painting

Detail of painting

Detail of painting

There were parts of this painting I especially loved. The background mountain and trees were a joy to paint. Deep foliage and lots of greens are a favorite of mine to translate to canvas. I am a strong believer in the relationships of color and creating harmony with it. Pushing it and making my paintings more colorful is what I love. This landscape was very involved and it was a blast to watch it come to life. Another part of this painting was the light. Strong shadows and light created drama, working together well with the color.

Finished painting in the Downs’ Family Room

Downs Home | 40x30x2” | Oil on Linen | SOLD, private collection

I am thrilled with how it turned out and hangs in their family room Thank you Lisa for this commission!