Date:
Sunday, November 29, 2009
I first met Aapo several years ago through a client of mine.
This client had told me that Aapo and his beautiful wife were close family friends and that Aapo was a remarkable portrait artist. She just raved about some of the beautiful portraits that he had done of her children over the years, and promised to bring photos of the paintings next time she came to see me. True to her promise, the next time she came, she brought shots of some of the pictures. I was blown away.
They were absolutely beautiful! The thing that struck me most about them was that Aapo was able to capture the small things that made each child unique. There was so much honesty about who each child was, that I knew I was looking at something really really special.
That got me thinking
about a very special photograph that I cherished. It was taken by my husband of my young 3 year old son and me, in our garden. Neither my son or I were aware that he was taking it, at the time. I had my son lovingly cuddled up in my lap while I was showing him how I was going about pruning back the jasmine vine. The tenderness and the quietness of the shot just touched my heart. I decided that I would love to have that captured forever in a portrait. I also realized that, not only would I enjoy having it, but it would be amazing to be able to pass it on as a piece of history for my son to have one day.
Aapo was so warm and responsive when I spoke to him about what I wanted. I felt as though he really understood how much that portrait was going to mean to me.
On the day it was delivered, I had knots in my stomach, I was so nervous. When Aapo pulled back the cover to reveal the portrait, my eyes filled with tears! It was so perfect. Aapo had captured everything that made that photo so dear to my heart. The tenderness, the subtle cradling of my arm around my son, His lean in to me as I was showing him how to shape the plants. I had my heirloom! It holds a place of honor, hung in living room. Everyone who comes to our home has such wonderful things to say about the portrait and my son never fails to join in the conversation to point out that it is him in the painting.
About two years later,
my second son, had his blessing. It was a wonderful day filled with family and friends. During the ceremony, the photographer captured a moment between my husband and our younger son that was so filled with tenderness and love that I knew I had to have Aapo paint it! I loved the idea of giving it as a surprise to my husband for Father’s Day. Once again, when I discussed with Aapo why this shot was so beautiful to me, I felt as though he really understood. So, the plan was set in motion.
When Aapo returned with the painting,
I had pins and needles with anticipation! When I carefully lifted the protective paper, once again, I was in tears! This was just as amazing as the first one and I could not have been more pleased. How was Aapo able to capture that emotion so perfectly? I couldn’t wait to give it to my husband on Father’s Day!
My plan was, while he was still asleep, to take down the first portrait in my living room and put the new portrait up in it’s place. The goal was to surprise him once he got up by leading him in to the living room to open his other presents. Then he would notice the new portrait. Well, if any of you have small children, you know that they don’t exactly keep exciting secrets well.
The morning of Father’s Day, I pulled the portrait out of the hiding area and hung it up in the living room. The boys were jumping up and down with delight. I kept having to remind them to ‘sssshhhhh’ and don’t ruin the surprise by telling Daddy. While my husband opened his other gifts, I really thought my older son was going to burst with anticipation waiting for his Dad to notice.
Then my Husband noticed the portrait. He walked over to it and just stared and stared. His eyes filled with tears and he said the most heartfelt thank you that any one wife could ever ask for.
I am so happy that I now have such an amazing heirlooms to pass along to both my sons. I am so happy that I met Aapo and his lovely wife. I am so proud and happy to have these really amazing pieces of art for my home.
I could not recommend Aapo and his amazing work more whole heartedly.
Thank you
Tammy
Mothers Love & Father's Love. Pastel on paper 2007. 25.5 x 19.5"
