• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

  • All
  • Family
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Decor
  • About Lena
  • Contact

Beauty, Captured on Paper.

February 9, 2014 By Lena

There are few things in life that blow me away. And friends, I am blown away.

It all started a couple of weeks ago, when a friend mentioned that she had decided to follow her dreams and open an art studio – Karly Marie Custom Portraits. Always one to promote happiness, I was proud of her decision and wished her good luck.

“Let me create a custom portrait for you,” Karly said.

Sure, I thought. Why not? But life is busy, and to tell the truth, as much as I wanted to help out, I didn’t make it a priority. So I sent her the following Instagram picture, asking, “Can you work with this?”

You see, I love this picture. It was taken while both boys were sick – and yet, still managed to get into all sorts of mischief. I often smile when I think back to that day, as they wiped their noses on each other’s arms and giggled with gross delight. (Boys, right??)

Of course, as soon as I sent the screenshot, I promptly forgot about it. I knew it was in good hands, but really – what would come of an electronic photo? I knew nothing of what Karly could do or what the finished product would look like.

And then, I received a message that the portrait was complete. And as I gazed at the charcoal drawing of my two boys, I promptly burst into tears. Nothing could have prepared me for the beauty that Karly captured on paper.

I am blown away by Karly’s talent – and her gift for making subjects come alive. The sweet shyness in Ryder’s eyes. The mischief in Reid’s smile. And together, two brothers bonded together in a loving embrace. It is a portrait I will always treasure; one that will remind me of a cold winter afternoon with my two boys.

Friends, this is probably the most special gift you can give a loved one. Karly creates hand-drawn, custom portraits that make the perfect present for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, weddings, or bridal showers. These artistic impressions can preserve the memories of a newborn child, beloved pets, special occasions, or even a cottage, home or vacation destination.

(Check out her Portrait Gallery here.)

Her rates are incredibly reasonable and for Listen to Lena friends and family, she is pleased to offer 15% off. (E-mail me for the coupon code: lena (at) listentolena (dot) com.) I encourage you to think about Mother’s Day, upcoming celebrations or other special occasions where you can give a truly unique, beautiful gift that will be treasured always. I am 100% convinced of Karly’s talent and am in love with the custom portrait.

Tell me, do you have a photograph you’d love to turn into a portrait? Be sure to contact Karly today! 

Filed Under: Family Tagged With: arts and crafts, Karly Marie Custom Portraits, unique gifts

Previous Post: « Breakfast in Bed. Blogging in Bed.
Next Post: It’s Time to Have “The Talk”. »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. francine

    February 9, 2014 at 7:59 pm

    wow that is amazing… my old cell phone had an option to take photos that look like they are drawn in pencil.

    this looks much better than what my phone did

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:07 pm

      Ha! Yes, I think Karly’s attention to detail has a slight edge!

  2. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    February 9, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    Wow that is amazing! She is very talented!

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      She really is! Thanks Judy!

  3. Jenn

    February 10, 2014 at 1:42 am

    That is insanely amazing – so much talent!!! The instagram photo itself is adorable too!

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:08 pm

      Thanks Jenn – we’re so happy with it!

  4. Marissa

    February 10, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Wow! Karly has such an amazing talent! She has captured every detail of the boys in her portrait.

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      Totally agree Marissa! Love the light in their eyes!

  5. nicolthepickle

    February 10, 2014 at 8:27 am

    Those eyes are amazing! She did such a good job.

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:09 pm

      Thanks Nicoline – and yes, I’m so happy with the portrait!

  6. loriag

    February 10, 2014 at 8:34 am

    She is very talented indeed. That is a great picture of your boys.

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      Thanks Lori!

  7. angie smith

    February 10, 2014 at 11:33 am

    that is so beautiful wow!! very impressed with the quality

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      So am I. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but am blown away!

  8. Flora M

    February 10, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    She captured those expressions perfectly !! What an amazing portrait :) Going to keep her in mind for doing an anniversary gift for my daughter and son-in-law ;)

    • Lena

      February 10, 2014 at 5:10 pm

      Please do Flora – it’s such a unique gift that I’m sure will be treasured always!

  9. Susan T.

    February 10, 2014 at 8:41 pm

    They are super cute kids and the portrait looks great!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 3:58 pm

      Thanks Susan!

  10. Victoria Ess

    February 10, 2014 at 11:40 pm

    This is so good!! I would LOVE to get this done for a photo of my partner and I. I always wanted to get one done by a street artist but never had the patience to stand there!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 3:59 pm

      That’s what I love about Karly – choose your favourite photo and she will immortalize it for you! Be sure to grab a 15% off coupon code from me!

  11. Jason

    February 11, 2014 at 6:56 am

    Wow, that’s talent :) A picture like that would be the perfect gift for any occasion. Great post Lena.

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Thanks Jason! Totally agree,

  12. Lynda Cook

    February 11, 2014 at 9:15 am

    wow!! that is awesome she has done a wonderful job, she has captured every detail, what a talented girl!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Yes, she is! Thanks Lynda!

  13. Melinda L.

    February 11, 2014 at 10:43 am

    Awww simply gorgeous :) She is very talented!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Thanks Melinda! I agree!

  14. Darlene Schuller

    February 11, 2014 at 10:47 am

    Such such talent! We had a drawing done of my Grandma for my Mom, I’m always so deeply impressed with this kind of artistic talent! beautiful job!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Aw, that sounds lovely Darlene!

  15. jaimeem

    February 12, 2014 at 10:55 am

    Wow, she is truly talented! I can only dream of becoming as great as her with sketching, beautifully done!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:00 pm

      Thank you!!

  16. Guppy5700

    February 12, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Karly Marie is very talented. Your boys portrait is amazing! What a great keepsake it will be.

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      Framing it this weekend :)

  17. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    February 12, 2014 at 1:57 pm

    beautiful, I love drawing but never could do something like that, she totally captured their expressions.

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      I agree. The portrait really comes alive!

  18. Tricha

    February 12, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    Oh wow, she is definitely talented with such beautiful subjects.

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 4:01 pm

      Thank you Tricha :)

  19. Cici G-H

    February 15, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    What a gorgeous gift and such gorgeous boys! You’re a lucky mamma!

    • Lena

      February 15, 2014 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you CiCi – yes, I am!!

  20. kathy downey

    October 31, 2016 at 9:16 am

    What a beautiful work of art,i love it!

Primary Sidebar

Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

Connect with Lena

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Featured

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Virtual Queue Strategies

Five Cool Tips for a Backyard Ice Cream Bar

Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!