about Adrianne

What's there to know about me? I have three children, currently ages seventeen, nine, and two, and each of them take up an equal amount of space in my hopes, dreams, worries, and time that I’m given in this life. Currently, it’s the toddler that I lose the most amount of sleep over, and that’s because he has recently decided not to sleep himself. But somehow, I never want to forget this stage of our lives, and I don't think I'm the only mom that feels this way.

When I started my photography business, it was a calling that I couldn’t resist. I had a full time job and made good money, but the desire to create, to find and capture beauty in and around others was just undeniable. It took me all of five minutes to decide on a name for my business: Beatific Visions.

Beatific Visions isn’t just a play on words, and if you come from a theological background or attend more traditional Christian churches then you may be familiar with the term. The Beatific Vision was first defined by St. Thomas Aquinas as the human being's "final end" in which one attains to a perfect happiness. Thomas reasons that one is perfectly happy only when all one's desires are perfectly satisfied, to the degree that happiness could not increase and could not be lost.

You don’t have to be religious to appreciate and understand the sentiment. If I had to put in my own words, I would define it as true contentment. When the world quiets down and the worries are put away, what do we see? For me it’s the moment when my toddler lets me hold him, when my eight-year-old wants to show me something new she’s learned, when my teenager tells me about a new friendship. It isn’t the same for everyone, but it’s something I am passionate about helping others see.

I'M doing exactly what I've always dreamed of, and I hope it shows.

about sara

It’s true that all our steps lead to the next great adventure.

I spent my twenties cultivating gifts that kept calling my name. No matter what I tried, I always felt deep compassion and the studio arts calling my name. I had strong pastoral & counseling gifts mixed with an unending fire to produce art and bring healing to communities. This led me to completing seminary & art therapy degrees where I worked with a variety of people who encouraged me along the way. 

My thirties continued this work with single moms, teen mothers, mental health & addiction with youth, teens & families. While raising my young family, I worked alongside licensed counselors, pastors & community volunteers to start new programs and use art as a healing force in people’s lives - a new tool for the tool kit of not just surviving life, but thriving in life. I became a business owner in 2018 to create educational courses and retreats because I wanted to serve women specifically.

After my own journey through motherhood, I have gained a fierce love for women and the expression of strength, compassion and transformation that is gained through our experiences. I am so thankful for my 14 and 10 year old and all that we have experienced together as my husband and I have grown into & served our community over the last 14 years. 

I now find myself creating the art I need to make for you, family photographers. I needed to make big art that would serve in the relay of art as a transformative experience to new communities all over the world. What an incredible journey to now connect with other women who have the same passions through Willow Canvas - to show women and families the good in their lives - to capture the beauty of the hard moments in an entirely unique way - to help them keep the good always before them and to share the lens from which you see it. I see what you see and it is an honor and privilege to support you in any way I can.

You can listen to more through my conversation with Kim Box & The Motherhood Anthology on Episode 61 here.

art therapist and artist, owner of willow canvas hand-painted backdrops