'Bow-tiful' Design

I am so grateful to Col for taking on the challenge of creating this beautiful artwork of our little Albie. I have followed Col for quite a few years on social media, never ever thinking I would be requesting one of her angel pictures one day. That's the thing about loss and grief, particularly baby loss, it pulls the rug from under you, and you never expect it to happen, until it does. Unfortunately, there still seems to be stigma attached to early loss, particularly termination for medical reasons (tfmr). I've experienced it both as a midwife and a mother. There is a huge range of confusing feelings and emotions; namely that you don't have a 'right' to mourn or honour your baby, that you 'chose' this, that others experience loss that is much worse, you were 'only' x number of weeks and so on. The reality is, it is one of the most excruciatingly hard and painful decisions to 'choose' to end the life of your much wanted baby to save them from a life of pain, illness and severe disability, and that's if they even make it out of the pregnancy alive. This 'choice' carries with it the most monumental, complex, harrowing and what I imagine will be lifelong grief. Albie was so wanted and so loved, and I wanted to honour him in a way that respected his dignity and his life. I have pictures all over my house of my other children and it felt only right to include Albie in this way. Despite being just under 14 weeks, he had the most distinct, beautiful and intricate little features, and Col has captured these perfectly. He was buried with a little lamb toy, which we also have one of and it's these little details that Col was able to include that just make it so personal and special. I'm not sure I will ever be able to show how truly grateful I am to Col for doing this for me and doing it with such compassion, empathy and care. It is something I will cherish forever and allows me to share my 4th little boy with the world, and hopefully also help others to feel less alone and validated in their grief and desire to also honour their little ones.

Ever since I saw onesonnyday 5 years ago, I knew I’d had to have Col paint my future child’s portrait.. I finally had a baby and had Col paint him for his first birthday. I am thrilled with the result; funnily enough the portrait looks like a colourised childhood photo of my late great-grandfather!

You have no idea how much we love and appreciate you!

Col, I am absolutely blown away at how amazingly beautiful Hannah’s portrait is! You have done an incredible job of capturing her spirit, thank you so much xx

Thankyou so much for creating such beautiful pieces for us x

Today is Luna's second heavenly birthday and I just wanted to say again how much it means to us having her beautiful portrait here. It seems surreal that two years have passed since our girl arrived and so quickly had to go. Some days I still feel overwhelmed with sadness. I personally don't believe that it gets easier, as some people would say, but life definitely grows bigger around our grief that once took over everything. Last year you sent me a picture of her portrait with a little rainbow shining over it. Our rainbow today is shining right here in my arms. And on Luna's birthday we chose to celebrate her life with lots of love and joy, which is what she represents to me. Forever our first born and the big sister. Here's us and our two beautiful daughters. Love, Juliana xx

Thanks Col! We love our painting so much! You have captured Daisy’s features and personality so beautifully- we will definitely be back for another portrait in the future!

My granddaughters portrait is just magnificent, it brought tears to my eyes. You have perfectly captured her whole being. Her eyes are just glistening and that big beaming smile melts my heart. I love your chosen shade of colours too. My daughter is just going to absolutely treasure this gift. Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou. Colleen, you are truly gifted. I look forward to later in the year, when our 2nd grandaughter will also be brought to life with your portrait magic.

The angel portrait Colleen made of Ella shows the beautiful soul that she was, so breathtakingly real. She looks at peace now, her song may be over, but her melody lingers on in our hearts. She sends down butterflies and windchimes that sing into my heart that tell us she is near. This gift will always be a reminder of the community that wrapped around me when Ella flew high. Thank you Colleen from the bottom of my heart. Having this beautiful representation of Ella created a loving memorial for me to focus on and know that she is looking down from above and always in my Heart. Julie

Hi Col,
Firstly, Thankyou ♥️ x

You have a very special Gift, a talent that is beyond words.

To give you some history/context, I was 22, Bailey was born and we had absolutely no idea what was happening. That moment when you witness your first born child enter this world is meant to be an unforgettable experience, for me it certainly was that!

I remember it like yesterday, I shared the most amazing 17 days with him, he was never alone, he was always held by one of us to comfort him and help settle him, I was there for him during his last breaths!

He was born with a condition called Trisomy 13, or Patau Syndrome, which in itself is amazing he was born alive at all as it is one of 2 syndromes that are not compatible with life.

He really did live a very short life but also very painful one in more ways than one.

I do only have the one photo of him after I left my Ex Wife, and to be honest it pains me to look at it as I can see and recall the trauma he went through, Doctors and Students were all wanting to see him and try and open his eyes etc. they bruised him so bad from day one that any and every photo shows this. (Hence why I have never shown anyone a picture of him)

You have absolutely nailed this, you have looked beyond the bruising and pain and made him look content, settled and at peace (where he is a now)….my god Thank you!!

When your email came through this afternoon, I had tears In my eyes this when I got to see the finished piece, despite his lip, he is my other 2 sons when they were born!

I will hang this Masterpiece very proudly in my home (Thanks to your special Talent and gift)
I absolutely LOVE what you have done, I couldn’t be happier and 100% you have my approval to finalise and send, I can’t wait to see it in person