Portrait of Children

This was a commissioned work. I was asked to paint the four children of the family. Instead of photographing formal poses in their living room or in front of a curtain, it seemed more appropriate to get them to enjoy the occasion by asking them to pose in their backyard with their favorite toys, or doing their favorite activities. As you can see each person's personality really came out in this combined image. A story accompanies the painting. As I recall the husband had commissioned it to save his marriage. They separated anyway, but bought houses on the same block so the kids could go back and forth. Later, I heard they came to understand one another better and reconciled. I don't want to know any more. I like a happy ending.