Married Life Drawn By Husband In Amazing Artwork
What do we know about married life? Well, it is an artist’s role to take the ordinary in life and turn it into the extraordinary. We see this in many examples of work, be it photos, paintings, sculptures, or cinema. Capturing the nuances and intricacies of everyday life is what makes art so special.
This illustrator – Curtis Wiklund – is a devoted husband to his wife, Jordin, and has shared some of his most intimate pieces with the public. These pictures each show us different aspects of the couple’s life, highlighting specific ups and downs of married life.
Some Place I’d Like To Be
What difference where you are, as long as you’re with your better half? This picture highlights how a simple walk can turn into an adventure when it’s an experience shared with a loved one. As long as they’re together, they can go anywhere.
In the specific picture, they are walking along a beach. Whether they walk along the coast or to the top of the highest mountains, they are together. It beats the craziness of a city and gets them out of the house on a loving adventure.
Trip From Ikea
It’s often a joke about how a trip to Ikea can make or break a relationship. It can be a big challenge for the best of us to buy all the things we need – let alone assemble it when we’re home!
The overwhelming journey represents so much more than just a new wardrobe or bed, but it symbolizes a new life together. Here, we see Wiklund and Jordin smiling as they drive to their new home to start the next stage of their life once married.
Comfort Zone
It is not always about the adventures you have or the fun-filled activities you do together when you’re married. Sometimes, being part of a couple means that you simply share a bed together and read silently. One of you can read your book, while the other one could be watching a sitcom on Netflix.
Either way, you are together and spending time enjoying each other’s habits. Having your own space is important, and sharing your personal time with someone else is truly special.
Such a Wonderful Morning
Let’s face it: no one is romantic in the morning! The hustle and bustle up getting up and going to work is hardly a fun experience, with everyone reacting to the morning in different ways.
Here, the artist shows us the humor in sharing the bathroom as the couple comb their frizzy hair and brush their teeth. Some of us need coffee, and some of us need 10! Either way, these two understand each other – even if it means not talking for a few hours! They’re married – they have their whole lives to talk!
Love Bugs
When staying in at home on a Saturday night with your other half is the highlight of your week, you know you’ve found someone special. Here, we can see how simply relaxing on the sofa and staring into someone’s eyes can reignite the feelings of love and lust day after day.
Wiklund perfectly captures how relaxing it can be to enjoy time together as a couple. Doing nothing is sometimes the best thing to do when it’s with your soulmate.
Changes
It’s totally normal for couples to sometimes engage in arguments. Here, Wiklund juxtapositions the attitudes of the couple during and after a fight. It’s important to remember that even if we say or do things we don’t mean at the time, our love is stronger than our temporary fights.
You should never go to bed with your loved one in an argument, and here we can see the couple falling asleep on the sofa after successfully making up with each other.
Constant Learning
An important part of life is that we keep learning and developing. Just as much as we learn in our careers, it is expected to learn about our partners, too! Wiklund is in awe at how amazing his wife is in things he never knew until they moved in together.
She can do the handiwork around the house as he falls deeper in love with her than ever before. Just wait until she finds out what a great cook he is! A match made in heaven.
What Should I Draw?
Every artist has a moment of creative blanks which seem impossible to get out of. Sometimes it’s hard to come up with new ideas, but it’s never unpleasant when you get to brainstorm with your loved one. As we can see, one of the most joyous experiences is working with your partner in crime.
We never know where we can get inspiration from – and it’s often our loved ones that push us to our creative limits, helping us make the best things we can.
The First Kiss
Was it love at first sight for these two? This sketch might suggest not! Here, we can see how Curtis seemed determined to woo his future wife – even if she didn’t want to at first!
Never giving up, he must have done something to ultimately change her mind. As we can see today, they are very much in love.
The Proposal
How did Curtis and Jordin prepare for marriage? Well, only in the most romantic way possible. One day when riding on a train, he broke into song and asked her to spend their lives together.
This was not the first romantic gesture he performed for her, nor would it be the last. Now they can prepare for a lifetime of happiness.
Tough Times
One of the biggest tests in a relationship is looking after your other half when they get sick! However, nothing is more important than making sure they feel better, even if this means you get sick straight afterward.
We all love a bit of tender loving care when we get the flu, and healthy relationships work to look after each other when they are unhealthy. If anything, it’s an excuse to watch TV together. And if you both get sick? Well, misery loves company!
Nap Time
Sleep is already pretty great, but napping next to your loved one is even better. When your husband or wife comes home from work and takes a nap on the sofa, take the chance to watch them sleep in peace. As Wiklund draws, it makes for an intimate moment.
Sleep is an important aspect of trust and comfort with your loved one – if you can sleep in their arms, and they can sleep in yours, it’s a sign of true respect and love.
Holidays Together
Having a husband or wife means you have a travel partner for life! What better place to visit than Venice – one of the most romantic cities in the world.
Riding a gondola in the center of town on a tour is the perfect way to fall in love all over again, as clearly depicted by the artist. When you love someone, it doesn’t matter where you are as long as you share your experiences together.
Time to Go to Bed
Little acts of kindness go a long way. Remember when you were a child and your parents would take you to bed once you fell asleep? It was a sign of protection and care we will never forget. Here, we see that couples do the same things to each other.
We imagine this isn’t the first time that he has done this – and it won’t be the last! Perhaps they were cuddling on the sofa or it’s a night out in a bar – either way they look out for each other.
Fun Activities
When you are a part of a couple, the boring everyday errands you used to do become newfound adventures. Instead of going to a supermarket, you visit a country market with local produce, or you redesign the apartment.
Here, we can see Wiklund and Jordin sharing the experience of shopping for food and cooking a meal. Cooking can be an incredibly intimate experience, as the couple can explore tastes and senses through a shared activity.
Kisses
Kissing is an intimate and classic sign of love and affection. Here, Wiklund draws an equally intimate depiction of the couple engaging in the romantic act. We kiss each other to be as physically and emotionally close to each other as possible.
Whether it’s after a first date or on your 40th wedding anniversary, a kiss with your loved one should always evoke the same feeling. Here, we can see each kiss only adds to their love they have for one another.
Enjoying The Holidays
As a couple, you begin to share more precious moments together and the holidays start to mean more as you fall deeper in love. With Christmas around the corner, the Wiklunds embrace the holiday season together as husband and wife.
When they close their eyes and wish upon a star, who knows what family member might be joining them this time next year? Endless possibilities and dreams lay ahead.
Sleep Tight
Sharing a bed is a big part of being a couple. Even if your bed is big enough for both of you to have your space, you won’t want to be too far from each other as you cuddle until you both fall asleep.
It’s a large part of our evolution, as Wiklund observes, that we like to share space and body heat with those with who we are intimate. When we cuddle, we remember all the nice times we have with each other.
Bird’s Eye View
Here, Wiklund treats us to a bird’s eye view of how he goes to bed each night. With his loving wife in his arms, he looks at his sketchbook and draws whatever comes to mind. Sometimes good, sometimes bad, but always with love.
Can you imagine how many more nights like this will inspire more work? We all know the amazing feeling of having the person you love fall asleep in your arms.
Telling Scary Stories
Coupes can stay up all night sometimes talking about their hopes and dreams. Here, we can see Curtis and Jordin discussing their lives, their hopes, their dreams, and what they want for each other.
The best part of this is how they are seen smiling and supporting each other through it all. We can’t wait to see what they come up with. Interestingly, Wiklund chose to incorporate color into this.
Baseball Buddies
You’re probably wondering where these two met to create such a strong bond between them? This was years before people swiped left or right – this romance started decades ago!
Wiklund writes: ‘I wonder what my younger self would have thought if someone told me the girl on my tee-ball team would be my wife.’ Turns out these two have known each other their whole lives!
Date Night
Sometimes going out and partying is a little too much when you’re in your 30s and settled down in married life – as we can see here! Here, we can see how the happy couple is relaxing after spending a little too much time outdoors and about.
After a long day and night out exploring the city, it is wonderful to see them relax next to each other. Next time they plan a date, they will be sure to be home by bedtime!
We’re Pregnant!
What most wonderful marriages eventually lead to – a family. Once the home is set in order and both partners are equally satisfied in their lives, it’s time to welcome a new addition to the dynamic.
The sheer joy on their faces is a delight as they realize they will soon be bound to each other for the rest of their lives. The married couple will now embark on a brand new adventure – one they have never experienced before. Good luck!
Working Away
A married couple can learn a lot when they spend some time apart from each other. Here, Wiklund draws us his experience of working in a cafe for the day.
This was probably done to give each other some space before the big day arrives. With Jordin resting at home, Wiklund rewards himself with a quiet day to work. Still, we see his smile is nowhere to be seen…
About To Pop
The faces on this happy couple say it all! Wiklund is glaring into the distance thinking about his future, while his wife is sitting back loving her pregnancy. It’s one of the last times the couple can enjoy on their own, lost in their thoughts as they consider how their lives will change.
Here, nothing is greater than the experience they are soon to share with each other once the baby arrives. Getting married was just the start!
‘It’s Here’
Finally, after all the years of being married and all the months preparing, the couple is finally becoming parents. The love that bonds two people through the birth of a child is unmatched with anything else that could be imagined.
We see the cries of the wife and the concerns of the husband – both of them helping each other through the difficult moment. Still, it’s a few hours that will have a lifetime of impact. It’s one of the greatest moments of married life.
In His Arms
Is there anything more special than a father holding his son in his arms? Here, we see Wiklund simply relax and embrace being a father for the first time – something he had never felt before.
His drawings demonstrate how amazing the experience can be to hold something that you have brought into this world. The miracle of life is large, indeed.
The Afterparty
Finally, they welcome their child! Wiklund here depicts some of the chaos that appears after the calm once the baby is born and joins the family.
Here, he cradles his son while Jordin is cleaning up some of the mess that has appeared after they entertained for the first time as parents for their son’s birthday. They better get used to this mess – it will happen for another 18 years at least!
Holding Hands
Described as one of the greatest feelings, Wiklund draws what matters most to him which is his child holding his hand. The angle in which the drawing is creating shows him looking down from above, like a guardian angel who protects a person on earth.
We can glean that he feels ‘over the moon’ about his role as a father and rejoices at being a father to such a beautiful child. It’s moments like this that makes him want to expand his family…
Doing The Maths…
Before expanding a family, it’s important to understand any of the challenges that might lie ahead. For these two, it meant considering the financial costs.
At this point, the happy parents already had two children – could they afford a third? We all know how amazing it is to have a large family, and so it didn’t take them long to make a decision.
Family of Five
…And expand he did! Over the years, Wiklund and Jordin had three children, following the birth of two daughters. Here, we can see them all playing together in the corner of the bedroom.
Wiklund takes the same standpoint of looking down from above, this time a simple observer to his children and the way they interact with each other. What a feeling it must be to see your children play and interact with each other when you’re happily married.
Budgeting
How do you balance three children? Curtis and Jordin spent many evenings trying to work out how they could afford their new bundles of joy. Suddenly they had new things to consider: food, shelter, education, healthcare, and the rest.
We love how Jordin still has a smile on her face as Curtis grimaces at the computer screen. Another shining example of how these two support each other during married life.
Sunday Bliss
Can you imagine a bigger smile on a father’s face? In what is the first family sketch from Wiklund, he draws a harmonious and peaceful morning while all the family members share a bed.
The smile from his face and the look of love from his wife is what all dreams are made of – and something we can all aspire to. Over the years, the five of them will make memories to last a lifetime.
Road Trips
As the family grows up, the Wiklund family started to go on holidays – and the artist recorded every step of the way! Everyone is strapped in and ready to go as they venture into the countryside to spend a few days out of the city.
Funnily enough, Wiklund actually talks about some of the pressures of fitting three car seats in one place! “It’s tight, but these car seats fit and it actually feels really sweet. Cozy in a way.”
Chaperoning On A Good Night’s Sleep
Of course, once you have children it’s not just your own that you look after. Now that the kids are at nursery, Curtis takes the time to be a chaperone for his kids on a school trip. Here he is falling asleep on the way to Cedar Point!
Next time, he’ll be sure to get an extra night’s sleep before looking after a group of young children. As a parent, he should know better!
Not Every Day Is A Drawing Day!
Every artist can tell you how hard it is to be creative, particularly when you’re not feeling like it. Whether it’s tiredness, sadness, or just stress – it can feel near impossible to get going.
In a meta moment, Wiklund here has drawn how frustrating it can be to work. We love how the drawing is a basic, 2D sketch – nothing too impressive… Amazingly, the character still comes across.
Letting Daddy Work
Sometimes it’s nice to have a break from the craziness of family life and focus on a career. As we can see here, the artist usually works from home, which can be tempting for the children who want to spend time with their dad.
It must be hard for Wiklund, too, who sometimes feels trapped working when he wants to play with his children.
Snow Adventures
Adventure time for the family! As a father to young children, Wiklund takes the role of protector as they leave and go exploring in the snow. Here, less is more when sketching the snow and the subtle footprints between young and old travelers.
Of course, we see the paternal instinct here with the father holding a young daughter on his shoulders. Where are they walking to, into the distance? An adventure in nature and in life, too.
Dental Denial
Part of being a parent is being there for more difficult times in your child’s life. When you are five years old, one of the worst parts is definitely the dentist!
Thankfully, mom and dad are there to keep the son calm while he waits. Wiklund draws us looking in at the intimate family moment, as both parents seek to relax. It seems to work – look at that cute smile!
Nobody Puts An Artist In A Corner
We all love to dance sometimes! They say dance like no one is watching, and we think it’s a great mantra. Here, we can see how Curtis images how they will look when they dance after watching ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’,
We don’t think this is a literal drawing, but instead is a metaphor for how he feels capable of lifting up Jordin and letting her touch the stars. When they’re together, they can do anything.
Out Cold
Falling asleep in our partner’s arms can sometimes result in the best night’s sleep. Here, we can see Jordin peacefully fall asleep, leaving Curtis wide-eyed and in love.
This is a more cartoonish approach to Curtis’ previous images, appearing as if these two are on a television show. With his abilities, we would happily tune in to see these adventures.
‘Sisters’
In a rare drawing that expands the family outside of wives and children, Wiklund offers us a glimpse of the broader family. We can see how Jordin has her own loving sister – and clearly, they get on!
We can see how Curtis is adoring just looking at them sit and laugh together. He isn’t interested in what’s on the TV, but only seeing the girl he loves being happy.
Family Hugs
This is an adorable sketch that shows the connection families can cherish over the years. Curtis, Jordin, and her sister embrace a hug to show how much they all mean to each other.
Even though it is monochromatic, we admire the shades drawn to show the depth in both the drawing and the relationships. One day, this is how their children will look all grown up!
Important Talks
Who says Harry Potter isn’t important? For this happy family, they meet up and talk about Potter’s magical world. Judging by the caption, it doesn’t look like he’s such a fan.
The best thing about married life is how you can talk to each other about your interests. Even if you don’t share them, someone is always there to listen. SPOILER: Harry Potter is good, Curtis!
Camping Trip
When winter comes, it can be hard to find the time and the climate to go on a camping trip. Thankfully, this family has thought of it all! Using a simple bed sheet, these parents have sported their very own tent.
It’s a great activity that can be used on rainy days and cold nights. Just imagine getting a touch and telling ghost stories – or reading a book – and watch the children drift to sleep.
‘She’s Pretty’
This drawing was inspired by the talks that the couple has every so often. Wiklund explains: ‘My wife asks me this every once in a while. I like thinking about it. What would your 6-yr-old self say if he could see you today?’
We love the fact that he would admire his wife in the same way after all these years. He must feel immensely proud and loving towards her. We hope he knows how lucky he is!
‘Home Is Safe’
Everyone knows that sometimes like doesn’t go our way. There are moments of sadness, grief, or sickness that must be overcome. Who better to have by your side than your loved one?
Here, we see the organic love and support that these two offer each other in tough times. We appreciate the fact that this particular sketch has added color to emphasize the passion between the two of them.
Vacationing
We all deserve a break sometimes. We all dream of being on a beach somewhere, away from our offices and the cold weather that winter can bring. For these two, they made it their mission to give themselves a break.
In 2011, Curtis traveled to Florida and took some time away from everyday life. Notably, this is one of the rare drawings that was made on an iPad – not sketched with a pencil. Do you like the difference?
A Day Trip In The Country
Not all vacations need to be in different states, as the married couple is showing us! Here they are enjoying a rest and a snack at Cider Mill.
It’s so easy to get caught in the everyday routine of life: these small breaks are the perfect way to relax even if only for a few nights. Now they can return to the children with more energy and passion!
Fall Walks
Love is all about the journey – both emotionally and physically. Curtis and Jordin take time out of their busy schedules to walk along a country road together.
The piece’s title, Layers, can be a shoutout to the clothes they are wearing, but it also acts as a double meaning. Each relationship requires multiple layers to function properly and work the best way it can. Anyone who’s married would know that!
Be My Valentine
How do couples like to spend their time? By reconnecting and finding all the ways they fell in love to begin with. Curtis and his wife are drawn here dancing intimately with hearts surrounding them.
It’s important to find the reasons that made you fall in love and get married. Everyday life can sometimes get in the way of passion and intimacy. Here, the happy couple use Valentine’s Day to rediscover their love. We love that color was added to this sketch – a rarity in his work – to demonstrate the passion.
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Relationships are full of ups and downs – but it’s imperative to focus on the bigger picture. Here, we can see how this couple is front and center of their own picture.
Adding dashes of yellows and reds, Curtis paints a supportive circle around the two of them to symbolize their life as married partners.
Tick, Tock…
Gosh, what do we have here? Another experiment on the iPad shows that Curtis isn’t always feeling so serene. It must have been a stressful time for both of them – just look at their heads!
There’s something sweet in this drawing when you consider that even though they are both feeling stressed, at least they are feeling it together. What’s more, they are still feeling comfortable together. That’s married life!
So Happy Together
Here’s a walk along a mysterious location for the happy couple. Again with color, Curtis draws the couple walking along an undefined road. A path to success and happiness, perhaps?
This iPad sketch modernizes their relationship and brings it into today’s world. What was once a pencil sketch has matured to show the long-lasting signs of true love.
Weekend Vibes
What is in a weekend of relaxing? In the days of Netflix and Chill, Wiklund shows us how simple intimacy with our other half can be just as satisfying as binge-watching your favorite show.
These small acts of love, like a hug or kiss on the neck, can turn into staying at home into one of your most cherished nights when married.
Life’s A Beach
Here’s an updated version of the beach photo we saw at the beginning of their relationship all those years ago. Now, Curtis and Jordin have been married for nine years and share three children together.
The image was drawn on an iPad and shows how the two of them are still one unit when married – represented in their shadow on the sand. This is perhaps the most abstract piece in the collection.
Reading For Inspiration
We can see the clear difference in these two here! Curtis obviously loves to draw – but did you know that Jordin likes to read, too? Here’s a funny explanation of what inspired this drawing:
“In the last 48 hrs of our vacation, my wife read over 900 pages of her new favorite series. I pretend to read too, but every few sentences seem to spark a new idea and I begin thinking or daydreaming, and 48 hrs later, I’ve read a total of 12 pages from my 120-page book.”
Night Owl
What do you do when your wife is asleep all night? You draw! Curtis admits often to being a night owl – something wonderfully on display here. This ‘self-portrait’ highlights how he feels all alone.
It must be the perfect time to get some drawing done, even if it means he’s alone sometimes. Being married with three kids, alone time could be quite nice every so often. We like this little guy.
The Ideas Never Stop
What do you do when you run out of things to draw? It appears that Curtis Wiklund will never truly run out of things to draw and depict for the rest of his life – there will always be moments with his wife and children.
However, here we can see how he is stopping and taking it in. Being an artist, married, and a father can take an emotional toll, and here he is coming up with his next piece of work. What do you think it will be?
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