365 days of drawing ~ day one hundred eighteen

I decided to draw Violet when I saw a FaceBook status on Still Playing Schools page.  I was immediately hit with sadness for a child who would never grow up and a mother that lost a child.  I myself have not experienced the loss of a child and the sadness must be overwhelming to say the least.  I knew Violet would be one of my portraits.  After contacting her mother Devany and explaining what I would like to do, she challenged me.  She asked if there was any way to draw a picture of all three children together.  She explained that she did not have a photo of all three since her little boy D is a rainbow baby.

The best definition I have found describing a rainbow baby:
Babies born to families after the loss of a child are referred to as "Rainbow Babies." The idea is that the baby is like a rainbow after a storm. "Rainbow Babies" is the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it doesn't mean the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and clouds. Storm clouds may still hover but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy and hope.

Correct me if I am wrong but that is a wonderful definition.  So I took on her challenge and she provided me with a beautiful picture of E (beautiful little lady on the right) and D (handsome little man on the left) and I used her existing photo of Violet, photoshopped V into the photo to suit everyone and shazaam!  I now have a "real" photo to draw from.  As some of you may know and some of you may not know, I am best at drawing when I have a photo to draw from, I do use a grid method in the beginning to ensure that all subjects are as accurate as possible.  Once I can no longer see the grid or I layout the drawing in entirety, then I draw with my eye.  There are times that I will turn the drawing and the photo upside down and draw in that manner.  I do that so I draw what my eye sees and not what my mind thinks it sees.  If that makes sense.

So this portrait is special in many ways.  The most important thing about this portrait is that it will give a family a special gift that no photographer can ever give them - a portrait of their three beautiful babies.  It feels so wonderful to use my talent to help others.  The original hand drawn portrait will be gifted to Devany and her family for just being so special, loving their babies, remembering Violet and reminding all of us that children are a blessing.