Portraits
My portraits are created as artworks that tell a quiet story and impart the inner essence of a person.
I’m drawn to painting people and animals in a way that captures more than likeness alone - a feeling, a presence, a moment held in time.
I also create portraits that seek to capture the essence of a person or animal, rather than likeness alone.
Each portrait is approached slowly and reflectively, allowing space for imagination and meaning to emerge.
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Some portraits are created as personal works; others have been made in response to a quiet request. When I do accept portrait commissions, they are created from photographs and approached as individual pieces of art, rather than reproductions.
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If a portrait here speaks to you, there is a simple way to make contact via the Contact page.
A recent portrait - Essence of man
Recently I worked on a duo Portrait aka child to adult. For the person concerned I looked for the inner child, the inner essence.
This is to find the 'Still Me' within the person from child to adult.
I used acrylics and watercolour on canvas.
This is just a small detail in order to keep the person's identity private.
Copyright Karen Curran
#heartessence #innerchild #portraitpainting #portraitacrylic #innerchildportrait
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PORTRAIT OF MMJ
This watercolour portrait was created to tell a quiet story - capturing not just a likeness, but a feeling.
There is something deeply moving about longing, especially in someone so young.
Wistful. Dreamy. Magical.
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These illustrations take time - usually four to six hours, sometimes longer - as I reflect on them long before my brush touches the paper.
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I aim to freeze a moment in time, adding delicate details that reflect something the child cherishes. In this piece, she dreams of mermaids. You’ll notice the gentle rise of water, bubbles, and a shimmering mermaid tail, drifting into a star-speckled sky.
From sketch to story, this is a quiet journey into imagination.
Original created April 2025.
Copyright Karen Curran
If you would like to enquire about a portrait, please contact me here.