Personalized Illustrations
What do you give someone who has everything?
Give a personalized gift that will be treasured forever.
What do you give someone to show how much you love them?
Give a beautiful, personalized illustration created just for them.
[Click any illustration to see a larger image. Move over an image to see if there's an inscribed example.]
)
Pear
For engagements, weddings, anniversaries or "just because," this botanical makes an ideal personalized gift for any couple. Using their first names, Maria will inscribe, for example, "Rachel and Larry, The Perfect Pair." Include a date, a small painted heart, and your name for added personalization.
Maria painted this pear in London's Chelsea Physic Gardens.
"Your 'perfect pair' has to be our favorite wedding present. When friends visit our new home, it's the first thing we show them. Years from now, I know this is the gift we'll treasure the most. Thank you so much!"
How We Create Your Illustration
Maria paints her original illustrations with gouache on vellum (goat-skin). Her illustrations have an "old world" feel about them so they easily fit in with any decor.
She then inscribes your personal sentiments on high resolution, archival 11 x 15 inch (28 x 31 cm) prints. Maria's lettering is a whimsical version of 18-19th century scripts, blending formality with light-heartedness.
)
Beach Rose (Rosa Rugosa)
This delicate and hardy beach rose is an easy choice for anyone who loves the ocean. Favorite quotes for this botanical include an adaptation of Henry David Thoreau:
"My [Our] life is like a stroll upon the beach, as near the ocean's edge as I [we] can go;" and
"The cure for anything is salt water: Sweat, Tears or the Sea."
Painted on Newport, Rhode Island's Cliff Walk, this bloom is a familiar sight along ocean coastlines.
)
Mouse as Scribe
One of Maria's most popular images, this mouse is perfectly poised to write whatever you fancy. Here are some popular quotes for this illustration:
"Art is art. Everything else is everything else." (Ad Reinhardt)
"My soul can find no staircase to heaven unless it be through earth's loveliness." (Michelangelo)
"Art teaches nothing except the significance of life." (H. Miller)
"The love of family is surely life's greates blessing." (Anon)
"A happy family is but an earlier heaven." (John Browning)
Marriage Certificates
Choose one of these original inscribed Marriage Certificates. Include a custom frame for an ideal wedding or anniversary gift.
)
)
)
Sunflower
Give a gift of sunshine. Painted during a Fall trip to southern Maine, you can use this botanical illustration to commemorate a fall event or present a "sunshine" quote, such as:
"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow." (Helen Keller)
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." (James M. Barrie)
"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides." (David Viscott)
"Friends are the sunshine of life." (Anon)
Purple Irises
Maria painted both of these irises from blooms in our front yard. Dramatic and vibrant support for your words.
)
)
)
Hibiscus
Need a gentle reminder of memories and dreams of vacations and travel? This tropical flower was painted in Puerto Rico and is waiting for your warm sentiments.
)
Pansies
This sweet cluster of pansies is a nice support for a message from a group or a family. We often use this when sending anniversary or birthday greetings. Choose this also for your gentle and loving memorial sentiments.
We provide custom frames for these illustrations and offer suggestions for inspiring, romantic and uplifting inscriptions.
Go to page 2 for more botanical choices.