Beyond the Portrait

Creating Art from Emotion This Mother’s Day

Originally sent to me to paint

This Mother’s Day, I had the honor of creating one of my favorite works of art to date—a piece commissioned by a client who wanted to gift something meaningful to a mother of four.

I’m often asked if I paint portraits, and while the answer is technically yes, it comes with a deeper explanation. Traditional portraiture—especially photography—can be beautiful. There’s something special about seeing a family frozen in time, smiling together. But when I look at those images through the lens of my art, I don’t always feel inspired to paint them as-is.

What I’m drawn to most isn’t the likeness of the people, but the feeling captured in the image—the energy, the connection, the unspoken emotion between the subjects. That’s what I aim to translate onto the canvas. I want to capture a moment, not just a face.

When this client came to me with a couple of lovely photos of their children, I knew we could find something special. I always ask clients to send me a range of images they love—sometimes a specific photo they have in mind, other times just an idea that they’d like to turn into a family piece. This is where my process begins.

Second Try

I review the photos not only for composition but for that pull—the intuitive sense that tells me, “This is the one.” It’s a subtle energetic thread that connects the people in the image. Sometimes, it’s in a glance between siblings, or the way a parent holds their child. In this case, it was a quiet moment between the four siblings that felt full of presence, connection, and authenticity. The original photos were beautiful and professionally taken, but it wasn’t until I saw thisparticular shot that I knew we had found it.

My client trusted me to follow that instinct, and together we were able to create a piece that not only honored her children, but also the love and bond they share—a gift from the heart, meant to last a lifetime.

The winner

So, when people ask if I do portraits, the answer is: Yes, but differently. I paint people, yes—but more importantly, I paint the energy of the moment. Every family is different, every story unique. If you have a photo or a memory that holds deep meaning—a quiet exchange, a tender glance, a joyful laugh—I’d be honored to work with you to bring that moment to life on canvas.

Interested in creating something meaningful for your family?Please feel free to reach out to me at jenna@jennatuttle.com or explore more of my custom work here. I’d love to connect with you and see what we can create together.

The final piece