I was commissioned this week by Waikato Tree Services to create a portrait of an employee who was leaving to travel around Europe and the USA. The painting was presented as a gift of thanks for all her hard work and dedication.

The painting was created on a stretched canvas, primed with gesso and drawn in pencil and prismacolor with acrylic paints. I shot the reference photo earlier this year while my trees were being looked a by Chrissie... Some new photography equipment arrived that very day, so I had a play...

My client approached me to do a portrait based on a particular photo taken on that day.

A wonderful, personal touch that says so much more than just a card. It's fantastic to know that an employer can show their thanks in this way. How much better than a gift voucher or perhaps even a gold watch?...