Portraits in a New Format

While most people love portraits of their 2 or 4 legged family/friends, over the years I have hear a common reservation about commissioning a traditional painting:  "I don't know where I'd hang it, I just don't have any wall space."   So it occurred to me there is a need for a free standing portrait format that can be enjoyed anywhere you want to set it.
So after some long conversations with my husband, who can make almost anything out of wood, we came up with Portrait Blocks, oversize replicas of children's wooden blocks with portraits on one side. They can be enjoyed alone or stacked in a collection.

I addition to an artsy and fun way of displaying your love ones portrait, this format makes it easy to add portraits to your collection as you add to your family - a new grandchild or the new puppy you just adopted from the pound.

The process is a bit labor intensive but I think the result it a charming alternative way to enjoy and display your loved ones image.  Here's our process:

The Blocks

C&C router cutting pocket

My husband cuts and sands a 5" X 5" block out of pine then routes out a 1/8 " 'pocket' on one side for the portrait to set down in.

Wood block ready to paint

I paint or stain the block per the clients choice of colors and stencil either numbers or letters on 4 sides.

Color style options for the blocks

The Portrait

I begin with a photo of the clients choice.  The better the photo I have to work from the better the results. Two subjects are the most that I can paint on such a 4.5" X 4.5"  canvas and assure an accurate representation of the image. 

Client photo

In my opinion a single larger image gives the best results.

4.5 X 4.5" canvas

Because the wood block have the potential for emit small amounts of pitch, even after they have cured, I chose to paint the portraits with high quality artist oil paint on canvas then attach it to the blocks using acid free glue. 

When my husband routes the pocket on the front of the block he cuts a small lip so that the edge of the canvas.  Then the entire block is sprayed with an archival quality, non yellowing varnish to protect all surfaces.  The bottom is finished with small felt tabs to protect the block and any surface it is set on.

The final product is something I am very excited about.  I think it is one of the most fun and innovative portrait formats I seen in a long time.

They are very affordable!

I take orders through my Etsy store Velopainter   Pet portraits    People Portraits

More about me: Nancyhelm.com