I made this gift for little Pieter Ben’s parents, to celebrate his first birthday. It’s essentially a family portrait. After meeting with the family who commissioned the gift, I knew three things needed to be incorporated:
1. Pieter’s family loves the outdoors, so nature needed to be the inspiration.
2. If there’s one thing Pieter has taught his parents in his first year, it’s to “go with the flow.”
3. His parents are deep thinkers, described as people with many layers of depth.
So, I set out to create an abstract family portrait in the form of an equally abstract landscape. Watercolour paint was used intentionally to represent the “flow,” alongside the other elements: earth (rocks), fire (red stitching), and wind (a general flowy feel). But it wasn’t until one of my clients suggested incorporating Pieter Ben’s silhouette (the yellow mountain part) that everything truly came together—thank you, Jadrick! That’s what I love about gift commissions: it’s never just me. It’s an open, collaborative process with you. And that’s what makes each gift one of a kind.
1. Pieter’s family loves the outdoors, so nature needed to be the inspiration.
2. If there’s one thing Pieter has taught his parents in his first year, it’s to “go with the flow.”
3. His parents are deep thinkers, described as people with many layers of depth.
So, I set out to create an abstract family portrait in the form of an equally abstract landscape. Watercolour paint was used intentionally to represent the “flow,” alongside the other elements: earth (rocks), fire (red stitching), and wind (a general flowy feel). But it wasn’t until one of my clients suggested incorporating Pieter Ben’s silhouette (the yellow mountain part) that everything truly came together—thank you, Jadrick! That’s what I love about gift commissions: it’s never just me. It’s an open, collaborative process with you. And that’s what makes each gift one of a kind.
Do you have a friend (or yourself) going through a period that is só exciting, beautiful and BIG? Perhaps a custom made gift to capture all the feels is exactly what they need? Send me a message and let's create something really (like really) special!
Instagram DM: @by.suzanneloots OR email by.suzanneloots@gmail.com
