Your child, made into art.

A photograph captures how they looked. A painting holds the feeling of that moment—painted by hand, one layer at a time.

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No payment required to enquire.

Now accepting September & October commissions.

Recent Portraits

Vibrant · Soft and natural · Playful · Minimal · Energetic

Give the moment a place to live

Children change quickly, while photographs pile up on our phones. A painting turns one fleeting stage into original art made for your child, your colors and your home.

FROM MY KIRKLAND STUDIO

It began with my son.

Before my son turned two, I finished one painting of him every day for a month and fell in love with the subtle expressions toddlers have before they have all the words. Their feelings are enormous, yet their faces leave a little mystery. Wondering what they might be thinking as they discover the world around them is what I look for in every child I paint.

Miwa Gardner
Artist and mother · Kirkland, Washington

What families say

“Miwa painted a complex portrait of our oldest son as a Christmas gift for my wife, and she absolutely nailed it. The likeness is uncanny. She kept me updated throughout, and truly listened to what mattered most. An A+ artist and an A+ portrait.”

-Ben· Christmas gift commission

“Despite not meeting my son in person, Miwa did a phenomenal job grasping his characteristics and facial expressions. His eyes are one of my favorite parts of his face, and the depiction is amazing.”

-Shirley· Parent commission

Painted entirely by hand

Every portrait begins with a pencil sketch and is built layer by layer in watercolor on archival, 100% cotton paper.

No AI. No filters. No automated effects. Just pencil, pigment, water and time.

I accept one private commission each month, allowing me to give every painting my full attention. Your finished portrait is signed and dated on the reverse and arrives with a handwritten note from me.

Choose your portrait

12 × 16 inches
Starting at $290

An intimate portrait for a bedside, reading corner or gallery wall.

Keepsake

22 × 30 inches
Starting at $540

A larger statement piece designed to hold its own in a room.

Signature

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Choose how it arrives

Archival paper — included

Delivered flat and ready for your preferred framing style.

Gallery-ready — add $150

Stretched over ¾-inch wooden bars, varnished and ready to hang. No glass or frame required.

Gallery-ready is available for local hand delivery in Kirkland and surrounding areas. Not sure if you’re within my delivery area? Just ask when you inquire.

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How a Commission Works

1. Tell me about your child

Share who the portrait is for, what makes it meaningful and whether you have a date in mind.

2. Send your photographs

You don't need the perfect photo to begin. Send a handful and I'll help you choose — finding the one with the light in the eyes is my job, not yours.

3. Approve the direction

Before the final painting begins, you'll see a watercolor sketch and approve the direction. Once everything feels right, I'll confirm the final details and begin your portrait.

TIMING

Most portraits are completed within approximately four business days after the photograph, color direction, and sketch are approved. Please allow approximately two weeks from approval to delivery within the U.S. More complex portraits and gallery-ready finishes may require additional time.

Planning a holiday portrait?
I take a family break each December, so holiday availability is limited. Tell me your hoped-for date when you inquire, and I’ll let you know honestly whether I can complete it in time.

From photograph to painting

You don't need a professional photograph. I look beyond the snapshot to find the expression, light and character that will make the strongest painting.

Questions parents ask

The 12 × 16 inch Keepsake feels intimate and works beautifully in a bedroom, reading corner or gallery wall. I naturally do my best work at a larger scale, where the watercolor has more room to move and I can explore the expression and details more fully. The 22 × 30 inch Signature gives me that freedom and has a stronger presence in a room. If you are unsure, tell me where you imagine hanging it and I will help you choose.
A good reference photo should be high-quality, with clear visibility of the eyes and facial contours. If you are unsure which photograph is strongest, send several after enquiring and I will help you choose.
I am especially drawn to quiet, unguarded and in-between expressions. The moments where we are left wondering what a child might be thinking are often where the feeling lives. I will help you choose a photograph that feels true to your child and works beautifully as a painting.
The standard option arrives as the full watercolor painting on archival paper, ready for you to frame in your own style. For an additional $150, the gallery-ready option is stretched over wooden bars and varnished so it can be hung directly on the wall without glass.
Portraits on archival paper should be framed behind glass or acrylic for protection. The gallery-ready option is stretched and varnished, so it arrives ready to hang without glass.
A 22 × 30-inch watercolor sheet finishes at approximately 19 × 26 inches when stretched, as part of the paper wraps around the stretcher bars.
Yes. The stretched and varnished portrait is designed to be displayed without glass, but a professional framer can add a decorative outer frame later if you wish. If you specifically prefer traditional watercolor framing under glass, I recommend choosing the archival-paper version.
I’ll send you a secure invoice link. Portraits under $800 are paid in full when booked; commissions of $800+ may be split into two payments.
Portraits on archival paper can be securely packaged and shipped. Gallery-ready portraits are currently available for local hand delivery in the Kirkland and greater Eastside area. If you're unsure whether you're within my delivery area, just ask when you inquire.
Yes. International shipping is $35. Any customs duties or import taxes charged by the destination country are the buyer's responsibility.
Thankfully, this has never happened. However, I carefully scan every commissioned portrait before shipping. If the original is ever lost or damaged in transit, I will provide a high-quality giclée reproduction from the scan, so you will still have the artwork.
Yes. Your portrait is signed and dated on the reverse and arrives with a handwritten note from me.
I take a family break each December, so holiday availability is limited. Tell me your hoped-for date when you inquire, and I'll let you know whether I can complete it in time.

Not quite sure of the direction?

Still deciding?

For $20, I'll paint two small watercolor sketches from your photographs, so you can see how I interpret your child before anything bigger begins.

Send photos → Two watercolor sketches → Choose your direction

Your $20 is credited toward your portrait if you continue

Start with two sketches — $20

Have a question first? Check Portrait Availability

A portrait begins with a conversation

I accept approximately one private commission each month. Tell me who you’re thinking of having painted and any date you have in mind. I’ll reply personally with availability and next steps.

No payment is required to enquire.