Blue Birds

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A generational farmhouse, kept in the family for over 100 years. When the family lost their matriarch to this estate, they knew a keepsake portrait of her home was due. She is cherished in the presence of a blue bird…and a pesky squirrel! With tears of love, Jill began to tell me the story.

Jill’s husband grew up in this house and has memories of a slightly different rendition of the house, as shown in the photo below. The house he grew up in had “old time” windows with a simple farmhouse grid. The front porch rendered a few different styles over the years, but most notably the “70’s porch” with turned spindles and arched brackets and a ladder back farmhouse door to match. We were falling in love with Jill’s story, and tears were glistening on her cheeks. Jill sent a series of photos that documented the house’s timeline. With every photo, we felt a stronger heartbeat and we were ready to draw this sweet soul.

As we started to create Jill’s house portrait, Jill called us with an epiphany. She said, “McKenzie – I just saw a blue bird and my mother in law loved blue birds. Every time we see one, we know it’s her. Can you add some blue birds to the portrait?!” At Monarch, we love to hear the special quirks that create the story behind the home. Our answer – OF COURSE! No sooner that we hung up, Jill called right back. “McKenzie – This was foolish of me. My mother in law would go nuts every time she saw a squirrel in her yard, especially if they were anywhere near her bird feeders. Can you incorporate a squirrel into the rendering? It’ll lighten the mood and turn our tears into laughter – it’ll be perfect!!” We love a little controversy – Take a look at the final rendering of this farmhouse drawing; can you find the blue birds and the squirrel?!

Monarch’s home portraits are handmade with LOVE and SOUL for keepsakes to give and memories to share. Click the link below to get started with your unique gift – We can’t wait to draw your home’s story!