Commission request

Their story, drawn in their own words.

A hand-drawn portrait where every line is a word, made from your own thoughts, feelings and memories of the person you love. From across the room it's a face. Up close, it's literally from you, and you can read it for the rest of your life.

Your words. Hand-drawn. Signed. No AI.

Start my commission

Daddy's Masterpiece, a framed portrait of my daughter drawn from words
Daddy's Masterpiece, 30 x 30 inches. My daughter, drawn from words about her first five years.

Step closer. Every line is a word.

Daddy's Masterpiece up close: eyes and nose. Every line is a word.
Up close on the same 30 x 30 inch portrait: her eyes and nose.
Daddy's Masterpiece up close: her hair, made of words
Her hair. Read it and you'll find her story.

Why size matters: more room, more words

The bigger the piece, the more words fit, and the easier they are to read. On a large piece, words in the face and hair stay readable from arm's length. On a smaller piece the same story has to be written finer, so the words become texture first and reading second. Both are beautiful. Choose large if you want people to stand in front of it and read.

White tiger print, words and names in the fur up close
24 x 24 inWhite Tiger. Names in the fur are readable up close.
From the Ashes, We Rise, the angel's face up close
24 x 36 inFrom the Ashes, We Rise. Room for words inside the face itself.
Vox Populi, Obama edition, the face up close
32 x 26 inVox Populi. A full portrait built from words people wrote.

Start your story

In 50 years, you can still look at it and read every word about what made that person special to you.

Photos fade and memories blur. This one doesn't. Your kids and grandkids can stand in front of it and read, in your words, who this person was and why they mattered.

Why words instead of a color painting? Because it's literally from you.

I'm drawing with your literal thoughts, feelings, hopes, fears, emotions and memories: everything that goes on inside your head when you think about the person or subject. That's why it's so incredibly customized. It's literally from you.

A color painting shows what someone looks like. This shows what they mean to you.

One of a kindNo one else has your words, so no one else can ever have this piece.
People lean inFrom across the room it's a portrait. Up close, guests step in to read your story.
A memory that lastsYour family will keep finding new words in it for generations. Hand-drawn and signed. No AI.

Keep their story forever

What you get

  • An original, one-of-a-kind drawing, with every line written from your words
  • A signed piece your family can keep and read for generations
  • Progress updates, so you see your story take shape
  • A conversation piece: guests lean in, and you get to tell them about the person you love

How it works

1. You share who they areSend the short form below. You get a personal reply within 30 days, not an automated one.
2. We gather your wordsTogether we pick the photos and the words together: vows, letters, stories, a guest book, a voicemail.
3. You receive your story, drawnA 50% deposit starts the work. You get updates along the way, then the finished, signed piece.

What this means for you

  • Your words are in careful hands. Every piece is drawn and signed by the same artist, so your story is never handed off.
  • Room for everyone's words. Pieces have been drawn from the words of more than 1,000 people, so a whole family, class or community can contribute.
  • You'll know what you're getting. See finished pieces in the gallery before you start.

Veteran-owned. Word portraits featured on The Steve Harvey Show and by Ripley's Believe It or Not.

Simple pricing

$4 per square inch

Length x width x $4, with a $320 minimum. A piece that comes to less than $320 is priced at $320.

  • 16 x 20 in = 320 sq in = $1,280
  • 24 x 36 in = 864 sq in = $3,456
  • 30 x 30 in = 900 sq in = $3,600 (the size of Daddy's Masterpiece)

A 50% deposit starts the work.

Ready to start, or chipping in?

Pay your deposit

Already talked with Michael and picked a size? The deposit is half the price: standard 2:3 sizes (12 x 18 up to 24 x 36) and square sizes (12 x 12 up to 30 x 30). For a custom size, Michael sends you an invoice for the exact amount. The minimum deposit is $160.

Pay a deposit

Chip in on a group piece

Friends, family or coworkers going in together? Chip in any amount in $1 steps. Add the project name so your gift goes to the right piece. No tax, nothing is mailed.

Ordering for a company, school or organization? Organizations can ask for an invoice with payment terms (for example net 30), and we can work with a PO or tax-exempt status. Start an organization request.

Start your piece

A few guided steps, every question optional. Pick Quick (about 5 minutes) or Deep (take your time). Nothing is final: we shape it together after you send it. Michael replies personally within 30 days.

Remember what you're making: a one-of-a-kind portrait drawn from your own thoughts, feelings and memories. It shows what they mean to you, and nobody else will ever own one like it.

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