Grandma & Zuri

by Mike Ivey
(Spring, Texas)

I have been painting as a hobby for many years (I am 60). I have sold a few along the way and have had some portrait commissions the last couple of years.

'Grandma & Zuri' is my latest. It is the only oil portrait of my wife of 33 years and our newest grand daughter, Zuri.

Every time I started to paint a painting of my wife she didn’t like the photo of her! This time I didn’t tell her!

She loved it!

It is painted on a 20X24 canvas and took about 50 hours. I'm slow. I used 3 photographs. When Zuri was born, 2 years ago, I took a photo of my wife holding the newborn in the hospital room.

I liked the way the light form the window shade fell on them both. Later, I woke up on morning late, and noticed the light from our bedroom window leaving a patter on the wall along with the antique lamp and cabinet.

I added the photo of my wife on our wedding day to the background. I use the computer to crop and position the photos to layout the way I want it to look for the painting.

I have a small class of students I teach on Saturdays & I paint as often as I can. I have pastored churches for 33 years and am currently Lead chaplain at Harris Co. Jail in Houston, Texas.

You can see more of my work at

Mike Ivey Art

Mike Ivey

Editors note:

Mike, you seem to live a very rich and blessed life! Thank you for sharing just a piece of it.

I visited your site and enjoyed the portraiture work you do so very well. I know my readers will appreciate it too.

I've left your web address here for folks to see.


Hope it drives some Texas Traffic your way,

Best wishes,
Delmus