It was a deep honor and a privilege to paint your family. What struck me the most profoundly is how safe and happy I felt in this process. The painting was a different piece entirely but there was just something off about it. I took a huge risk and dumped a giant pint of blue paint on the canvas. Painted an entirely new painting on top, one that is entirely better, more vibrant, and whole. It is the love and grace that your family brings to me that provided me with the feeling of safety to take that risk. Your boys will thrive in life as a result of growing up with these values. The movement in the piece represents that deep bond you all share and the freedom in that bond, even though it can be hard work.  

My favorite thing about this piece is how at night when I walk past it, though the sparkle isn’t obvious upfront, it is as if the painting’s spirit is watching you walk past her with her eyes. It reminds me of how you both met, and the way that Lindsay no doubt watched Burton walk passed her, not tilting her head or being obvious but just following him with her eyes, and vice versa. I remember one New Years’ Eve Lindsay had a bright sequined gold pencil skirt that lit up the whole room. I believe you both became official shortly after that. I remember how ecstatic Lindsay was to have her first Christmas with Burt and make it perfect that same year, and how Burton used all of the ladies at work as a council panel about what would be the nicest presents for Lindsay of the many he had already picked out. 

Lindsay is portrayed in Titanium White, White Glitter, Iridescent White - White is the color associated with perfection. The white glitter causes the piece to radiate and tie everything together using the power and grace of a feminine structure and contrast. 

Burton is portrayed in Deep Azurite, Cerulean - associated with depth and stability. These colors symbolize trust, loyalty, wisdom, confidence, and communication. All of which Burton naturally provides for you all, and if you really think about it provides the painting with bold confidence and personality. 

Weston is portrayed in Burnt Umber, Umber Glitter - Umber represents the Earth and grounding. Umber is never one specific color but a mixture of various colors mixed together. Weston will grow up with many athletic talents and a steady, mysterious demeanor. Taking his time in decisions will be very important to him. He will love nature and winning, appreciate hard work, and setting goals to smash. The umber in this portrait shows a rich depth as well as the bright sparkling lining of structure, hard work, and success. 

Sullivan is portrayed in Iridescent Gold, Iridescent Copper - Success, triumph, achievement, wisdom, warmth, and comfort. Sullivan probably already asks a million questions as he has such a creative and communicative mind. He will be highly intellectual, sensitive, and empathic. The iridescent of gold and copper bring a higher frequency of vision and life to the overall portrait.  

Pasha is portrayed in Light Orange - Feminine and the first baby to teach Linsday about unconditional love. The peach brings a softness, grace, and sentiment to the portrait, just as Pasha did in real life for you. 

Smokey is portrayed as Buff White - Smokey strikes me as an unapologetic street cat that can shapeshift to many things, just like off-white. Also, the off-white is a reflection of Lindsay’s love and grace pouring into something outside of her. The color in the portrait offers a dynamic of light contrast and depth. 

Chicago is portrayed as Burnt Sienna - When I think of Sullivan’s and the City as a whole so many years later now I just remember working in a time when smoking indoors was legal and if you were in the cigar lounge in the early days you were making bank. When I think of the best of Chicago I picture good scotch on the rocks, the smell of cigar smoke, and great jazz. I think the rich depth of this color portrays just that.  

Chatanooga is portrayed in Neutral Gray. Home is where your heart is and gray is such a mixture of so many days, nights, jobs, joys, triumphs, failures, fears, and gratitude. It’s just a mixture of all of it. That is why the edges are painted in this color, as is the structure and city that your family currently calls home. 

The piece is titled “Hubbard and Dearborn” as those two streets were the intersection of where Lindsay’s life collided with Burtons. The start of everything.