A Commission Close to My Heart: Triplets at the Beach

If you didn't know already...I'm a mother of triplets.

So when another triplet mom asked me to capture her three as toddlers at the beach, I knew this would be a painting like no other

Her triplets are about the same age as mine, and while they’re now preparing to head off to college, she wanted a timeless gift for herself: a painting that captured them as sweet toddlers at the beach.

 

The Process

The commission began with sketches, laying out the figures of her three little ones standing at the edge of the shore, hand-in-hand, under a striped beach umbrella. The umbrella, the sand toys, and the playful swimsuits were all included to capture the innocence of those days.

Along with the sketch, we decided on the palette colors to bring that fun, beachy feel to her piece.

 

From there, I built the painting in layers:

• Sketching & Underpainting – I started with a soft outline to place each figure and the umbrella in balance.

• Color Palette – We worked with a cheerful palette of coastal blues and sunny yellows, complemented by pops of pink and citrus. These colors felt playful yet timeless, echoing the joy of childhood summers.

• Bringing Them to Life – As the details unfolded—the matching ruffled swimsuits with little polka dots, the tousled hair, and the bright green swim trunks—the triplets began to shine on the canvas just as they had years ago at the beach.

Throughout the process, I shared progress photos so she could watch the transformation from pencil sketch to vibrant finished piece.

The childhood photos had both girls in pigtails and the cutest yellow polka dot bikinis...so those had to be incorporated!

The Final Piece

The finished painting shows her triplets hand in hand, gazing out toward the water beneath a striped beach umbrella. It’s a joyful, nostalgic snapshot of a mother’s favorite time in her children’s lives—one that will hang in her home as they head off to their next adventure.

 

Why This Piece Matters

As a mother of triplets myself, I couldn’t help but feel a special connection to this project. I know how quickly the toddler years give way to teenagers, and suddenly—college. Creating this piece was not only an artistic journey but also a personal one, reminding me of my own family’s milestones.

Art has a beautiful way of preserving memories, and this commission was the perfect example of why I love what I do.

 

The COMMISSION process is a fun one where the client and I create exactly what is in their heart. 

Step one of the process is to reach out to read about the details HERE.

I'd love to hear about your ideas HERE