Thursday, August 21, 2008

Family Portraits - the David Bowman way

As part of our family reunion, Mom and Dad hired a professional artist to come to the house and draw caricature portraits of all of us.  His name is David Bowman. He is the author and illustrator of the "Who's Your Hero?" series.

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We LOVED sitting for our caricatures. :)

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I have often felt sad that we were never able to get a photo of all 6 of us on our only day with Benjamin. It felt so good to have this drawing! He used a photo of Benjamin to draw him, but I requested that he draw him awake. I love how he's waving in the picture. Notice Ruby in the portrait as well. I think it's hilarious how spastic she looks! :)

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Thank you, Mom and Dad! This was so fun, and will be a treasured picture for us!

 

He did an amazing job of our portraits. But what especially impressed me about his work was his pictures of Christ that were on display in his studio. They are sensitively and beautifully done. I'm hoping to save up some pennies and commission him to do a serious portrait of Benjamin. . . .

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(The above picture of Christ with a child is called "Security.")

13 comments:

Stephanie Johnson said...[Reply to comment]

I'm a big David Bowman fan after watching him play Joseph in the play! He's a very talented singer, actor, and artist. It's awesome that he did the drawings!

chapples8 said...[Reply to comment]

He's really a good artist. The caricatures look like each of you. What talent!

snbjork said...[Reply to comment]

Awesome! Can you imagine having such a talent?! Sure would be fun. I absolutely love your family portrait. It really looks like you guys! Of course, I suppose that is the purpose....

Pretend I'm not such a big dork, please. =)

Maria said...[Reply to comment]

Wow, that is really beautiful! You guys look like the happy family you are. He did a great job.

France said...[Reply to comment]

What a spectacular portrait! What a great idea your parents had. Can just anyone go to his studio? Where is it at? Lashelle

Michelle said...[Reply to comment]

His studio is in Snowflake, down by the Chamber of Commerce. It is open to the public during irregular hours. For these portraits, though, he came to our house. He was just amazing! Stephanie mentions, too, that he played Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat". He also teaches seminary. Talented guy. :)

Devin and Melinda said...[Reply to comment]

That IS a fun family photo! He captured so much personality too!
I had the pictures of my kids taken at Portrait Innovations. Maria wanted to get a picture of all the McCleve grandkids for my parents so I decided to get a few more done while I was there. It's by far my favorite place to get them done!
Thanks for letting my kids play with your dog at the Reunion. They love animals...Kardon especially!

Malauna said...[Reply to comment]

Perhaps I'm the only one who got teary-eyed when I saw your entire family of 6 (and the dog) picture. I'm glad you had him draw Benjamin with his eyes open. What a cool idea for a family reunion.

Cindi M said...[Reply to comment]

THAT is so GREAT. I love it! What a nice thing to have. Are you going to get it framed?

Becky said...[Reply to comment]

Hooray! You should have David Bowman link your blog with some of his work. ('Course then you'd have to charge commission. ;) I LOVE the portraits he did!!

Ryan said...[Reply to comment]

Wow, Michelle and Chris...that's exactly you in caricature--except for Chris playing his violin on the wrong shoulder. Yet I can imagine him doing that for fun, just as he likes to shake a tower...

Still hope to make it out to hear your symphony someday!

llamitanan said...[Reply to comment]

What a fun post! I LOVE the caricature of your whole family--with sweet Benjamin's eyes open. David with captured well each of your personalities, I think.

Anonymous said...[Reply to comment]

Hi Brother Bowman!!! You were at my session of EFY this summer at BYU, Provo, Utah!! You taught me some things I will never, ever forget! Thank you so much for everything!!! I'll always remember when you drew the love/lust line, I've drawn it for my friends! Haha, you're amazing!