And visions of the children’s expressions danced in her head ...

That’s just what happened in 2015 when Southport-based artist Sue Heil Kibbe saw photos in the Boothbay Register of children visiting Santa during the Harbor Lights Festival.

Portraiture being her thing, she decided to create pastel pencil portraits of four photos, including that of 5-year-old Myles Whitfield on the front page. Myles and his mom, Heather Sinclair, had just moved to Edgecomb that fall from Belfast. 

“Myles’ expression was pensive, like he was thinking ‘I don’t know about this fellow (Santa),’ ... but just precious,” said Heil Kibbe.

Sinclair confirmed the appraisal. “He was very serious about his Christmas list that year,” Sinclair recalled. “There were a lot of serious conversations about what he wanted Santa to bring him. It was all very exciting - Harbor Lights and then seeing his picture on the front page of the paper!”

Heil Kibbe has had the four portraits, but not the names of the children or their families. After holding onto them for two years, she decided she wanted to give them to the families. What better exposure could there be than to include them in a public show? So, along with other paintings, Heil Kibbe included the four portraits at the Arts & Yachts show at Hodgdon Yachts last August. But at the end of the three-day show, she still had all four.  

Fast forward to this month. Heil Kibbe is one of the five artists of the month at Southport Memorial Library and all four portraits are there. Lisa Clarke,  principal of Southport Central School and former principal of Edgecomb Eddy School, was at the library Jan. 15 with some of her students.

“I love looking at the art when I’m there. I saw the portraits and I couldn’t take my eyes off one. I thought for sure it was Myles. It had to be him,” Clarke said. “I went back that Saturday, took a picture of it, emailed it to Heather and gave her the contact info for the library. I knew I would want to know if it were my child.”

And on Jan. 18, Heil Kibbe was finally able to meet Myles and his mom and give them the portrait. “I’m thrilled,” Heil Kibbe said. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do this ... now there are three mystery families to go.”

“I thought after his picture being on the front page of the paper that was it ... until Lisa called. I think Sue’s work is so personal and shows such an understanding of people and personalities. I love it!” said Sinclair.

Heil Kibbe would love to give the three remaining portraits to the families of her adorable subjects with the North Pole’s number one elf.  Call 207-633-3624 or email sueheilkibbe@gmail.com and make her day. 

Sinclair and her son were so impressed with the library, they plan to visit again – this time for library cards!

Heil Kibbe and fellow Southport artists Maria Doelp, Diane Spofford Randlett, Fran Scannell, Jane Southworth and Lauren Stockwell are all part of the “Local Color” show at the library now through February. The library is located at 1032 Hendricks Head Road/Route 27, Southport.