As we approach Christmas, parents around the world are preparing to make this Christmas the best Christmas ever. So much of the magic of Christmas is capturing the innocent awe in the faces of the children we love. This portrait, painted by Nancy Nickey Curran, captures the sweetness of her son who was 11-months-old when she painted him in his “Christmas outfit” -- it was his first Christmas. Not only does this portrait capture the innocent time in the lives of this family, but it is also a reminder of their history, and of other wonderful moments in their lives.
The photograph used for this painting was taken on the screened porch of the Curran’s 1932 home. The terra cotta pot behind the boy was a wedding present to Nancy and her husband. Special keepsakes that are memorable to the family are artistically “woven” into the visual story of the portrait.
One of Nancy’s greatest joys as a painter is to capture the fleeting details that are easily forgotten in a busy life. The details in her son’s frock and the Christmas toy are details that many may forget, but details Nancy says a mother never forgets.
While a photograph can capture the same details, so often photos eventually end up stashed away in a box or album. But a painted portrait hangs on a living room wall for years, and sometimes for generations to come -- a constant reminder of a loved one and a time long gone. A portrait of Nancy’s great grandfather whom she never met hangs in her parents’ living room. The details within the portrait bring him to life and help her know the man she loves but never had the opportunity to speak to.
Children grow up so fast. They are continually changing. What better way to remember these moments than with a portrait capturing every childhood detail, mischievous smile and sparkle in the eye?
This Christmas season give a gift that will never grow old. Toys and clothes are soon outgrown and forgotten, but a portrait is a meaningful gift that will be treasured for years. Portraits are an investment, preserving family history, and a gift that keeps on giving for generations to come.
Nancy Nickey Curran brilliantly captures every detail in her portraits, helping to keep memories alive.
NANCY NICKEY CURRAN
2398 KIRBY WOODS COVE
MEMPHIS TN 38119
901-517-0456
http://nancynickeycurran.com/
NANCY@NANCYNICKEYCURRAN.COM