So, last Sunday evening, the dinner was served to rave reviews by Gordon and we all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Later, following the meal, I accompanied him to his condo and he showed me a photo he said was his favorite. I offered to have another go at his portrait, using the image he likes so well.
I've worked on it for three sessions and here it is today. It's not a pose I would normally choose to work from, but if I can produce a portrait acceptable to him, you won't hear any complaints from me. I'm doing my best to keep it loose for a change. How long I can sustain "looseness" remains to be seen!
that is a very interesting expression! If anyone can do this as a portrait, it's you!
ReplyDeleteHi Celeste,
ReplyDeleteYes...indeed it is! When he showed it to me, I thought he was joking, but he wasn't. I'll give it my best, but even if he ends up liking it, I doubt it will ever be a favorite of mine. I'm just too nice. Yeah.
I see you've been very busy, winning awards, starring in exhibitions and taking workshops. Whew! I wish I had half your energy.
Have a great day tomorrow and thanks for stopping by.
Sincerely,
Gary.
Well, that's one difficult expression to get right without it seeming like he's grimacing; but I have confidence in you!!
ReplyDeleteyou can always surprise .
ReplyDeleteHi Gary
ReplyDeleteWhat a great beginning! This expression is just like any other-unique-and one that you can and will do!
Steven
Rhonda, Caio and Steven,
ReplyDeleteIt's always nice to hear from you. Gordon saw the painting yesterday when he stopped by my "Friday-afternoon-snack-munching-wine-swilling studio event". I have shortened the weekly affair's title to "OGGF", or "Old Guys Gab Fest".
He immediately focused on the fact that the photo had more darks in it and was overall, a bit lower key. He is correct with his assessment and I explained that it would be an easy fix. Other than that, he was also a bit surprised to see how large it was. I reminded him that when we spoke about it, I told him painting bigger was better for me and he was probably just being agreeable. In fact, he even agreed that 40 x 30-inches was okay. I'm glad I didn't go out and purchase that large a canvas!
Knowing I'll never get it "just right", work will continue anyway, until either Gordon or I throw in the towel. On the other hand...
Sam Sadler, another friend from our building and frequent attendee of the OGGF, graciously volunteered to model for me yesterday! I was completely taken off-guard by his most generous offer. He would be a perfect candidate; Mature, a kind face, sufficient life experience and an understanding and appreciation for art. How perfect is that?!
I'd had a fair amount of vino, as did he, so I figured I'd give him a couple of days to think over the offer. I need a few days, too, in order to procure a couple of canvases and get mentally prepared for such an endeavor. If this works out, there will most definitely be a few posts to both herald the event, as well as, document the progress.
Stay tuned and may each of you have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Gary.
That's indeed a very difficult expression to make a portrait of. But yiu managed i think. I like it being brighter than the darker version of the photograph. I also like the beginning, the tones a lot. To leave it that way would also be great, almost abstract. :-)
ReplyDeleteStrange how some people are so difficult to catch in a drawing or painting isn't it? I think you did a fine job.
Sweet greetz my friend!
Hi Monica,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it, as I know you are a very busy woman.
This work is far from finished, even though there is little chance Gordon will ever be truly happy with it. He is somewhat obsessive/compulsive and very fussy. He's a very nice gentleman, however, and I can honestly say we are good friends. With this in mind, I welcome the chance to please him, but if I fail, it's okay, since that is my expectation anyway. I view this painting as an exercise rather than anything else, but I still have hope that I will be able to please him.
I hope you're doing well with the show. I hope your work sells out and you will be famous and wealthy enough to visit Portland, Oregon, to say hello. I believe you would love this city and that your work would do well here.
Have a great week and thanks again for visiting my blog.
Sincerely,
Gary.
Hello Gary,
ReplyDeletethat IS a different expression for a portrait. I like it though very much. It's different, it's loose as you say, and just plain fun. Can't wait to see its progression. Will there be many more Italian dinners for Gordon to view the progress? : )
Have I told you my husband and I are considering Portland for our summer vacation this year? My sister was there on business not long ago and LOVED it there. There are a couple of artists I admire in the area...Flora Bowley and Kelly Rae Roberts...and you. Then there is also Donald Miller, an author I also admire. With all that...along with my husbands own interests in it, we may just do it...Provided the world does not come to an end or something like that of course.
It would be fun if we could meet you for coffee or lunch or something. Even better if you had a painting or two to show us.
Hope you are having a great week!
Good Evening Lisa,
ReplyDeleteI've got my fingers crossed that I can get this portrait in some kind of shape that Gordon will like it. That would most certainly rate another dinner!
Yes. I was aware of your potential plans to visit the Rose City. Summer is the very best time because it's semi-jokingly said that someone turns off the rains on July 4th. From then on, almost no rain falls until late October. Best of all, even when it does get hot, (we average only eleven days a year at ninety degrees or above) the humidity drops and it's quite comfortable. It always seems odd that such a rain-soaked place could have desert-like humidity levels on hot days. Twenty-to-thirty percent is quite normal on those few really warm days and Portlanders love it.
We would be most pleased to meet you and your husband and give you a glimpse of what living in the middle of a great city is like. Michele and I were born and raised in suburbia and never even considered living like this until moving here. It changed our lives and we've never looked back.
Leaving here to move to Honolulu is bittersweet to say the least. It will never be as convenient as Portland, probably not as friendly and certainly more expensive, but we believe the perfect weather year round will compensate for what we're giving up.
So, c'mon out and be prepared to have your concept of a city, and living in a city, changed completely. I believe once you see and experience Portland, you'll feel a spiritual renewal and an overwhelming desire to be part of this dynamic area. It's a very progressive place, populated with folks who are dedicated and excited to be part of a new way of living and thinking. I wonder if you and your husband will feel it.
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa.
Sincerely,
Gary.