Through one of those random questionnaires for incoming college freshmen, Lauren and Andrea became roomies at Wheaton. They like to joke about what they thought before they actually met: "She's from Tennessee?!" and "She's from Jersey?!" They were a match made in heaven, and along with Emilee, who started out a suite mate that freshman year, they have roomed together for all four years of college. Two years ago, Marlee was a wonderful addition to the three friends, and now, MELA (as they call themselves) will walk for diplomas next month! 

Andrea DeMoss is a gifted portrait artist. Her earliest memories are of holding a pencil in her little hand and copying whatever her mother was painting. Andrea's mom, Mary, an artist in her own right, trained at the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC, before becoming a wife and mother. Andrea remembers being 5 years old and copying over and over a profile that her mom had drawn. She took several years of watercolor classes in elementary school, but honestly, the ability to recreate a face or a picture of a dog, was just innate. In sixth grade, a teacher paid $75 for one of Andrea's paintings and suddenly, she realized the commercial value of possessing such a gift. At age sixteen, a family friend asked Andrea to paint a portrait of her two boys. From that point until now, a graduating senior in college, she has sold nearly 20 portraits, of various sizes and subjects, with no marketing other than word of mouth. She has used the funds to help pay for college at Wheaton, where she has studied Art and Communications. 

Over the holidays, when my kids were all at home, Lauren and Larry put their heads together and decided to commission Andrea to do a large painting of five of my favorite subjects, as a birthday present for me. I am very hard to surprise, but they managed to keep it under wraps until Larry and I were visiting Wheaton one weekend just after my birthday. We had rented a house to cook and host a dinner for the girls' Wheaton Tennis Team and their families, so I was a bit distracted. Emilee and Andrea managed to have it in the house one evening when we returned and they captured my reaction on video; I was speechless! Andrea had captured the essence of my children and beloved labradoodles in this 40 x 30 inch painting, which she had spent 80+ hours creating. Here are a few photos from that grand reveal and close ups of her work.

This painting was created from a photo of the five of them sitting on the stairs just inside our front door. What amazes me is how Andrea captured the essence of each person (and dog!). She explained to me that as an artist, you are not just trying to paint an exact duplicate of a picture, but rather, trying to capture each one's uniqueness. It is difficult to describe, but when its there, a loved one will recognize it immediately. I've always thought it had a lot to do with the eyes, but its also portrayed by body position, turn of the head, and many other subtleties. I asked Andrea to give me a little glimpse into how she painted each of my kids. For Derek, she wanted to show his gentleness, and that is what she worked the hardest to capture: his warmth and open nature comes right off the canvas. She said that knowing a subject makes it much easier to paint them. Chris was more difficult, partly because she knows him the least, but also because, in typical Schlabach fashion, he holds his cards quite close to his chest. She helped compensate for this by placing him in between the other two, to show the sibling relationship. Andrea said that painting Lauren's vitality was easy, since she knows her the best. However, she said that as an artist, when you know and love someone, your eye starts to compensate for any flaw or imperfection, and the danger is that you tend to paint them too perfect. Fascinating! Somehow I think I could handle being viewed as too perfect.  :)

And let's not forget "the boys", as we affectionately refer to our labradoodles. Andrea painted on canvas the interaction that daily amuses us. Hewitt is secure and lovable, viewing himself as a lap dog to be petted and doted on. Adorable Wilson is never quite secure in his responses, but always watches Hewitt to get his cues: "Should I bark? Should I jump? Should I be excited or calm?" And that is exactly what you see in the portrait.

I am so grateful to my family for this priceless gift, and to Andrea, for making it a reality! I love walking by the living room and seeing those precious faces looking back at me. Andrea would love to pursue portrait painting as a vocation. In case you have someone you want immortalized, she can be reached at    a.demoss21@gmail.com.