Before a meaningful home is sold
A lasting record of a childhood home, family property, or beloved place before moving, downsizing, rebuilding, or saying goodbye.
Custom house portraits in Vancouver, BC
I create custom watercolour and ink house portraits for clients across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Each portrait is created from your photos to capture the character, recognizability, and emotional meaning of a home you want to remember.
Commissions start at $225 CAD.
Based in Vancouver, I work with local clients and ship finished artwork across Canada.
Request a commissionTurn your home into a painting
Homes carry stories.
A first apartment. A childhood house. The place you brought your baby home. The family home you are saying goodbye to. Every Vancouver house portrait is created by hand using archival watercolour materials designed to last for years to come.
My goal is not to make the house feel generic or overly polished. It is to create a painting that still feels recognizably yours while holding onto the atmosphere, detail, and emotional meaning that made the place matter.
House portraits are often commissioned as:
- Housewarming gifts
- Closing gifts for real estate clients
- Anniversary presents
- Memorial tributes to family homes
- Keepsakes before a move
Looking for a different type of commissioned artwork? Learn more about custom paintings in Vancouver.
From photo to painting
See how a reference photo becomes a finished house portrait.
The goal is not to copy every detail mechanically. It is to create a painting that still feels clearly recognizable while holding onto the character, atmosphere, and emotional meaning of the home.
This is often the biggest question people have before commissioning a piece: will it still feel like our house? The answer is yes. My aim is to preserve the identity of the home while translating it into a hand-painted artwork that feels personal and lasting.
When a house portrait can mean the most
A house portrait is often less about the building itself than the life connected to it. These are some of the moments clients may want to preserve:
To celebrate a new chapter
A first home, newly renovated house, inherited property, retirement move, or the place where a family’s next chapter began.
As a personal gift
A housewarming, anniversary, retirement, wedding, or family gift rooted in a place the recipient will immediately recognize.
If the home has changed over time, I can also review older and newer photographs and discuss which details should appear in the finished painting.
How the commission process works
1.
Share your photos
Send clear photos of the home. Multiple angles are helpful. I can work from recent or older images.
2.
Choose your size
Common sizes include 8×10, 9×12, and 10×14 inches. If you have a specific wall or frame in mind, that can help guide sizing.
3.
Composition and painting
I thoughtfully compose the image, simplifying distractions where needed while preserving the character and meaningful details of the home.
4.
Completion and delivery
Your finished painting is carefully packaged and either picked up locally in Vancouver or shipped across Canada.
Available sizes
Pricing reflects time, architectural detail, and level of customization.
- Small works (around 8 × 10 inches): from $225 CAD
- Medium works (around 9 × 12 inches): from $485 CAD
- Larger works (around 10 × 14 inches): from $800 CAD
If you are unsure which size works best, I can guide you based on your space and the level of architectural detail you would like captured.
Shipping available across Canada.
What Vancouver house portrait clients are saying
I commissioned a piece based on a photo of Kodai-ji temple in Kyoto I took last year — a gift for my partner, who grew up in Kyoto. Although I knew it would be something special, it was even better than I had hoped. Ally took the time to understand the context and emotions surrounding the moment the picture was taken, and I think this really made a difference. Highly recommended.
- Chris Ryan
Frequently asked questions
Do you work from photographs?
Yes. All house portraits are created from client-provided photos. Clear, well-lit images help ensure the best result.
Is this a printed reproduction?
No. Each house portrait is an original, hand-painted watercolour artwork created specifically for you.
How long does a house portrait take?
Most paintings are completed within a few weeks depending on current commission volume. If you have a specific deadline, mention it when inquiring.
Do you only work with Vancouver clients?
I am based in Vancouver and regularly work with local clients, but I also ship finished artwork across Canada.
Can people or pets be included?
Yes. Family members or pets can be included depending on composition and size.
What if I only have older photos?
Older photos are often meaningful and workable. As long as the home is visible, I can review the image and let you know what can be captured clearly.
Can you combine older and newer photos of the home?
Yes. If the best angle, landscaping, people, pets, or architectural details appear in different photographs, I can review them together and suggest a cohesive composition.
Do you offer house painting or interior painting services?
No. I am a commissioned watercolour and ink artist. I create original artwork on archival paper and do not provide residential or commercial painting services.
Commission a house portrait
Send clear photos of your home and a short note about what makes it meaningful. I will confirm the best size, composition approach, and timeline for your custom house portrait in Vancouver.
Request a commission