Rope Crafted Portrait — A Heartfelt Gift for My Parents
Portrait of My Parents Made with Rope – A Wedding Anniversary Gift
Not all gifts are meant to simply please the eyes. Some carry threads of time, effort, love, and cherished memories in every detail. This is one such story—of a handcrafted rope art gift created by an artisan, now hanging on the wall of my parents’ room, right above their bed. Whenever someone enters the room, their eyes are instantly drawn to it—a dual rope portrait of my father and mother.
1. How Did My Journey with Rope Craft Portraits Begin?
I started working on rope craft towards the end of 2023. Initially, I created portraits of deities—idols of gods and goddesses. Then one day, I felt the urge to make something of my own, something more personal. That’s when I began experimenting with crafting real human faces using rope. (I’ll share more about that journey in another blog.)
Gradually, my skills improved, and so did my confidence. And then came one of the most emotional projects of my life—a surprise gift for my parents on their wedding anniversary.
The idea was born out of love. I didn’t just want to create a piece of art—I wanted to create a presence. A moment frozen in rope, where my father and mother stood side by side.
2. What Were the Challenges in Creating This Gift?
I started with two separate photographs—one of my father, and one of my mother. Since the photos were taken in different settings, the first challenge was lighting and shadows. The direction of light on their faces was completely different, and so were the shadows. To make the final portrait look seamless, I had to use a lot of imagination to balance these differences without making it look mismatched.
The second challenge was face proportion. Because the photos were taken separately, I had to carefully match the scale of their faces. I first adjusted their sizes digitally before beginning the actual rope work by hand. A dual portrait only feels right when both faces flow naturally and are in harmony with each other.
3. Trying Again: Starting Over When It Didn’t Feel Right
The first version of the portrait took me 5–6 days to complete, totaling over 20 hours of work. But in the end, I realized something wasn’t right. The faces didn’t quite capture the essence. I wasn’t satisfied with it, and I knew that if it didn’t feel right to me, it wouldn’t serve its purpose.
So yes, I set that artwork aside and decided to start over completely. Every twist of rope holds emotion for me—and if the face doesn’t feel right, the soul just doesn’t come through.
The second attempt also took another 5–6 days, again over 20 hours. But when I finally completed it, I felt a sense of peace—yes, this one was right. Nothing is ever truly perfect, and maybe it could’ve been better, but I was satisfied with how it turned out.
4. Finishing the Artwork and Gifting It
Once the artwork was complete, I had it framed in a premium 18×12 inch black frame—simple, yet classy.
When I gifted it to my parents, they were completely taken aback. It was a total surprise. Their eyes lit up with amazement and joy—what more could I ask for? The portrait now hangs above their bed, right in their room. What was once a plain wall now radiates warmth and love. That frame has truly enhanced the beauty of the space.
Everyone who enters the room stops and takes a moment to look at it. And in that moment, the artwork quietly captures hearts. Many even say, “If only we had something like this of our own, it would bring such meaning and charm to our space.”
5. Crafting with Emotion
Creating a rope portrait isn’t like painting with colors. Here, you work with just two shades—natural cotton and jute rope. Capturing shadows, depth, and the subtle curves of a face using such a limited palette is incredibly challenging. But that’s exactly where the beauty of this art lies.
When someone asks me to create a portrait, I don’t just aim to replicate facial features—I try to capture the personality. I want people to look at the artwork and say, “That’s my father,” or “That’s my mother’s smile,” or “That’s exactly the person I know.” And if that essence doesn’t come through, I’m always willing to start over. Because in this kind of art, emotion matters more than anything else.
Each face takes around 10–12 hours to complete. For this dual portrait, it took more than 20 hours. But time doesn’t matter when your material is love—then hours are never really counted.
6. A Gift Beyond Price
From time to time, I create Rope Craft Portraits for practice using photos of people I know—but I keep those pieces with me, because each one holds a personal connection.
I don’t gift my handcrafted work to just anyone. Only those who are truly close to my heart receive something made by my hands.
This portrait was for my parents. I had made another one for a teacher I deeply admire, and I actually gifted it to him too.
That story—I’ll save for another blog.
These rope portraits aren’t just artworks. They’re emotions, memories—crafted to live on far beyond time.
7. Conclusion: Stories That Stay
This portrait is no longer just a part of our home—it has become a part of our lives. It symbolizes the bond I share with my parents. What once began as an attempt to learn something new has now transformed into a medium of expression, a language of emotion.
In every twist of rope within a portrait like this, there is sincerity, care, and deep love—
and that is the true ‘Story Behind the Craft’ of this Rope Craft Portrait.
Thank You for Reading. If this story touched your heart, and you’d like to explore more such handcrafted creations, discover the stories behind them, or place a custom order for someone special—do visit the Upahar18 website.
Below are some featured Rope Craft Portrait variations — feel free to explore the one that speaks to you:
Pouch Bag
Hoodie
Mask
Cap
Wall Clock
Table Photo Frame
Mouse Pad
Fridge Magnet
Bottle
Coaster
Plate
