"Detail in fabric and texture have always fascinated me. Children wearing southern style lace and embroidery were an added treat for me when I painted this seven year old girl in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Since I travel to my clients' location I was hosted by this gracious family. I've always preferred staying in the family's home rather than at a hotel because the time spent eating meals together and playing with the child gives me a great opportunity to get to know my sitter very well. Also, the child warms up to me and I get to learn the family's taste and style. During this visit we decided that I would paint her 5 year old sister as well (portrait #13). My first step was to photograph the girls separately with black and white film. Next, I did color studies on small canvas boards. When I returned to my studio I chose four or five of the poses I felt best captured the personality of the little girls and sent them along with the color studies for the family's choice." A.B.