Welcome to My Holiday Market!
Looking for something extra special for someone you love?
Give the gift of something truly one-of-a-kind! Commission a whimsical, hand-painted portrait or a treasured family heirloom brought to life in color. A little piece of magic to cherish for years to come!
Or, for the dreamers and storytellers in your life, give the gift of creativity with a certificate to one of my upcoming Children's Book Writing Workshops!
Holiday Ordering Deadlines:
NOVEMBER 18TH — Last day to order a custom painting.
DECEMBER 20TH — Last day to purchase a Children's Book Writing Workshop gift certificate.
Pet Portraits: For Your Furry Friends!
Who wouldn't want to see their beloved furry friend immortalized amongst a garden of beautiful flowers?
These pet portraits are a fan favorite for a reason! Each one is lovingly hand-painted in watercolor and gouache, capturing the personality and charm of your favorite four-legged companion.
A one-of-a-kind keepsake for yourself, or the perfect gift for the animal lover in your life!
Each portrait is painted on 9 × 12-inch watercolor paper, and signed on the back.
Commission a portrait of your pet!
All pets are welcome, whether you have a dog, cat, lizard, goldfish, or pet rock. Anything goes! This item is valid for one portrait of one pet.
SIZE
All portraits are done 12 x 9
MATERIALS
All portraits are done with gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil on watercolor paper.
BACKGROUNDS
All pieces are done with a beautiful floral background. Please let me know if you have a specific color or flowers you would like. I try and meet every request! If you are interested in having your pet in a specific scenario, please message me.
LENGTH OF TIME
Each piece is made with love and care, so it takes about a month for me to make them and ship them out. Please let me know if you need it earlier, and I can try and make your request.
PET PHOTOS
Once you buy the commission, email me with photos of your pet at esmeshapiro@gmail.com
FAQ
Will I own the original piece?
Yes you will! But I reserve the right to use an image of the painting for promotional tools, cards, etc.
Can I have a portrait with both of my pets in it?
Yes you can. If you go back to the commissions section you can click the two pet option.
What if I want to be in the painting with my pet?
If you are interested in being in the portrait with your pet, please email me at esmeshapiro@gmail.com and we will work something out just for you!
What if I don't like my portrait?
Each painting is made especially for you and is the artist’s interpretation of your pet. Esme does not do any re-dos of the paintings. We know you will love it but if you are not satisfied with your painting you may request a refund.
Commission a portrait of your two pets!
All pets are welcome, whether you have a dog, cat, lizard, goldfish, or pet rock. Anything goes! This item is valid for one portrait of two pets.
SIZE
All portraits are done 12 x 9 inches
MATERIALS
All portraits are done with gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil on watercolor paper.
BACKGROUNDS
All pieces are done with a beautiful floral background. Please let me know if you have a specific color or flowers you would like. I try and meet every request! If you are interested in having your pet in a specific scenario, please message me.
LENGTH OF TIME
Each piece is made with love and care, so it takes about a month for me to make them and ship them out. Please let me know if you need it earlier, and I can try and make your request.
PET PHOTOS
Once you buy the commission, email me with photos of your pet at esmeshapiro@gmail.com
FAQ
Will I own the original piece?
Yes you will! I always scan the pieces before I send them out and will sometimes use them for promotional materials. Please let me know if you don't want your pet portrait to be used anywhere else.
Can I have a portrait with only one pet?
Yes you can. If you go back to the commissions section you can click the one pet option.
What if I want to be in the painting with my pet?
If you are interested in being in the portrait with your pet, please email me at esmeshapiro@gmail.com and we will work something out just for you!
What if I don't like my portrait?
If you are not 100% satisfied with your portrait, please tell me! I can either refund you, or I can make you a new version at no extra cost to you.
Children's Book Writing Workshop Gift Certificates!
Do you know someone who has always dreamed of writing a children's book, but doesn't quite know where to begin?
Sometimes, all we need is a little encouragement to take the leap!
Give the dreamer or storyteller in your life the gift of creativity with a certificate to one of my upcoming Children's Book Writing Workshops.
Whether they have a story tucked away in their heart or are just beginning to dream one up, this seven-week workshop will help them find their voice and bring their ideas to life!
Workshops take place online in Spring and Fall 2027, so your loved one can join from anywhere in the world.
Give the Gift of a Story!
For the dreamers, the storytellers, and the people with a children's book tucked away in their hearts.
Do you know someone who has always dreamed of writing a children's book, but isn't quite sure where to begin?
Sometimes, all we need is a little encouragement to take the leap!
Give someone you love the gift of creativity with a certificate to one of my Children's Book Writing Workshops.
In this intimate, seven-week workshop, I'll guide aspiring authors through the wonderful, sometimes mysterious process of writing a children's book. Together, we'll explore storytelling, develop ideas, and work toward bringing their very own stories to life.
Whether they're starting with the tiniest seed of an idea or have a manuscript they've been dreaming of finishing, this workshop is a place to explore, experiment, and grow.
Upcoming Workshops
Spring 2027: Sundays, 11 AM–1 PM Eastern
Fall 2027: Thursdays, 11 AM–1 PM Eastern
All workshops take place live on Zoom, so participants can join from anywhere in the world!
How Does the Gift Certificate Work?
Once you purchase your gift certificate, I'll email you a beautiful, high-resolution printable certificate that you can tuck into a card, wrap up, or place beneath the Christmas tree!
After receiving their gift, your loved one can simply email me to choose which 2027 workshop they'd like to attend. Beginners are welcome!
Who knows? The next wonderful children's book might begin with your gift!
Heirloom Portraits: Bring the Past to Life!
Do you have an old family photograph tucked away in an album? Perhaps a portrait of your grandparents on their wedding day, or a beloved ancestor you've only ever seen in black and white?
Let me bring those cherished faces and memories to life in full color!
Using your treasured family photographs as inspiration, I'll create a one-of-a-kind watercolor and gouache painting that transforms a little piece of your family's history into a colorful work of art.
A wonderful gift for parents, grandparents, siblings, or anyone who loves a good family story. Something to treasure for generations to come!
Each heirloom portrait is hand-painted on 9 × 12-inch watercolor paper, and signed on the back.
heir·loom
/ˈerlo͞om/
noun
a valuable object that has belonged to a family for several generations.
Art can connect us to the people that came before us. It can build a bridge through time between us and our loved ones. That’s the goal of this project. By using watercolor and gouache to reimagine old family photos, I hope to infuse new light and color into images of the past that we hold dear.
To give a beloved image a new form is a powerful healing experience! Why not try for yourself?
SIZE
All portraits are done 12 x 9
MATERIALS
All portraits are done with gouache, watercolor, and colored pencil on watercolor paper.
LENGTH OF TIME
Please allow 2 months for your piece to be made and shipped out. Each piece is made with love and care! Please let me know if you need it earlier, and I can try and make your request.
PHOTOS
Once you buy the commission, email me your black and white photo at esmeshapiro@gmail.com
CAN I HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE IN MY PHOTO?
Yes! I will paint up to 4 people in each photo.
FAQ
Will I own the original piece?
Yes you will! But I reserve the right to use an image of the painting for promotional tools, cards, etc.
Can I have a portrait with both of my pets in it?
Yes you can. If you go back to the commissions section you can click the two pet option.
Can I request a certain color palette?
Of course! Feel free to email me at esmeshapiro@gmail.com
What if I don't like my portrait?
Each painting is made especially for you and is the artist’s interpretation of your photo.. Esme does not do any re-dos of the paintings. We know you will love it but if you are not satisfied with your painting you may request a refund with the return of the piece.
Commission a One-of-a-Kind Painting!
Have you always dreamed of gifting your partner a painting of your beloved home? Or perhaps a dear friend just got married, and you'd like to surprise the happy couple with a whimsical portrait?
From beloved pets and cherished places to the people you hold dear, the possibilities are endless! Let's dream up something wonderful together.
Each commission is lovingly hand-painted in watercolor and gouache on 9 × 12-inch watercolor paper, and signed on the back.
Get in touch for a quote!