Scary Godmother and Kayleigh

About 3 1/2 years ago, my daughter Michelle and her husband had a baby girl which they named Kayleigh. I wanted to get a piece of artwork for Kayleigh's room and Michelle asked if Jill Thompson might be available to do a painting of Scary Godmother and Kayleigh. (Scary Godmother is Michelle's favorite comic character by a longshot!) At the time I did not have Jill's contact information, but my good friend (and all-around great guy) Josh Flander's knows Jill so I reached out to him. Josh kindly contacted Jill and put the two of us in touch.

I called Jill and she agreed to do a color commission of Scary Godmother and Kayleigh for us. Jill asked that Michelle and I send her ideas for the piece as well photos of Kayleigh. Michelle asked for a picnic scene and to include a bunch of flowers. Jill then sent us some preliminary drawings and Michelle chose the one that had Kayleigh on the swing, Scary Godmother with the basket of flowers, and Boozle floating nearby.

Jill asked if there were any personal touches Michelle would like added to the painting; Michelle asked that a light birthmark on Kayleigh's forehead be showing so Kayleigh would always know it was herself in the painting.

In one of my conversations with Jill, she asked if there was something personal of Michelle's that could be included in the piece. I told her that, as a child, Michelle always slept with a thin blanket she referred to as "B" and she still has it today! Jill came up with the idea of adding Michelle's beloved "B" to the painting and that is what Kayleigh is holding in her left hand.

The painting arrived today and we could not be happier with it. It is a wonderful "feel-good" piece of artwork that will soon be framed up in Kayleigh's room at Michelle's house and will certainly be a treasured family heirloom!

My deepest thanks to Jill Thompson for painting this special piece for my family and to my buddy Josh Flanders for putting Jill and I in touch!
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