I’ve always been drawn to art that feels personal—art that carries emotion, memory, and presence within it. For me, creating portraits has never been about perfection or simply recreating a photograph. It’s about connection.
At the heart of my work is a genuine desire to create something meaningful for the people who trust me with their memories and loved ones. I care deeply about doing the very best I can with every portrait I create. My hope is always that the finished piece feels more than visually accurate—that it carries warmth, familiarity, personality, and heart.
There is something incredibly special about seeing someone feel deeply seen through art. If a portrait brings comfort, connection, healing, or even tears, then I know it has done what it was meant to do.
Hi, I’m Kaye!
When I sit down with a reference photo, I spend time with it first. I study the eyes, the expression, the small details that make someone feel unmistakably like themselves. I’m always searching for something deeper than likeness alone—an essence, a spirit, a feeling that can be carried into the final piece.
I work primarily in soft pastel, a medium I fell in love with years ago for its softness, depth, and ability to feel both delicate and alive at the same time. My style naturally leans a little illustrative and graphic, shaped in part by my early background and fascination with lettering, composition, and design. I love the balance between structure and softness, realism and interpretation.
Music is a huge part of my creative process. My studio is rarely quiet. I often have the same song playing over and over while I work, allowing it to shape the rhythm and emotional tone of the portrait. Sometimes a piece flows easily, and other times I need to slow down, reconnect, and gently find my way back into it. When that happens, I return to the subject themselves—their energy, their story, the feeling they leave behind.
Each piece is created slowly, intentionally, and from the heart—with deep respect for the bond it represents.
Each Soul Essence portrait is created by hand using professional soft pastels and is tailored to your individual commission. Portraits begin at $300 CAD, with pricing based on size, subject, and framing.