Last May my daughter graduated from law school and her boyfriend took this photo of our family. I thought it would make a good subject for a painting as a genuine "Kodak moment," not a formal picture by any stretch...it could be any family. But it's not, it's mine.
25 comments:
What a nice way to record a moment of permanent importance! Great job.
I am speechless, this is so wonderful. DANG.
Paula, you are right, it could be any family, but how many people can say their daughter is a lawyer? I know you must be so proud! I especially like the guy on the left, who has made sure his face will show in the picture. That's something a younger brother would do. :-)
I feel Sorolla here! Nice.
This is fantastic! Great subject(s), comp and beautifully done.
Paula, You are so brave to take on so many portraits, especially your family who are so familiar to each other. Beautiful result!
Paula, this gives great depth to what was once a photo. Yes, it's "your" family, but your painting makes me ask questions. Who are each of these people, what motivates them, what is the texture of their lives? It makes me want to know more, and that I think, must be a mark of a painting's success.
Hey Atul, so good to hear from you. Thanks for stopping by!
And Camille...thanks! It seems that you've been painting up a storm lately!
Deb...I think it's funny you knew that is her younger brother...she can't call him her "little" brother anymore at 6 feet!
Welcome Johanna! Sorolla? Wow!...and thanks for stopping by!
Thanks Sandy! I love the new banner for your blog...did you make that stained glass?
Thanks Carol! I don't know if I'm brave but it was certainly a challenge...not only from trying to achieve a likeness of each one but also trying to make the painting less "personal" and with more universal appeal.
And Liza, thanks so much for your comments...this is exactly what I was trying to achieve. Although I love to look at formal portraits of people, even those I do not know, that was not the goal here. I hope it worked.
What an awesome painting Paula. You really do great portraits, and to capture your own family like this, so naturally, well all I can say is... wonderful.
Wow! This is awesome! You must be so proud of your daughter. I know just where she got her smarts from. ;o)
This is an awesome portrait of your wonderful family!
I like the play of warm and cool colors, but what what really grabs me is the expressions and body language of each person, which tells me a whole novella full of stories.
A great painting for a great moment - you really captured the "snapshot" feeling of it! I like the way you painted rather lightly and casually with mid-tone colors. Serious portraits might look classical but wouldn't be this fun. Also your handling of the background is really nice and functional. The simple treatment of the buildings and light blue sky nicely frame more involved main characters. I'm glad I start seeing your painting again after a long (?) break and congratulations on your daughter's graduation!
Hello Paula, how you see every so often I come to see your work and this is a beautiful painting.
Ciao a presto!!!
Gee Vern, Sheila, R, Peter, and Gianlucio...many thanks! Great to hear from each of you...glad you stopped by! And Peter...glad you caught the snapshot element!
CONGRATS to you and your family... both on your granddaughter's graduation AND on this wonderful painting done to memorialize it.
You all should be so proud!!
Wow, Paula this is so cool...REALLY cool, the loose relaxed composition, you sort of poking out from behind...I love it! Great job!
Wow! What a fabulous painting to remember such a special day! You do terrific work Paula!
Wonderful painting Paula! You've captured the moment nicely. How proud you must be!
Love this! Having been there done that, with my daughters graduating, I know how special those feelings are. Having recently been to Sorolla's studio in Madrid, I admire WHAT you painted and captured.
Wow...you got to go his museum Johanna? It's on my list! I admire his work, especially his figures for which he had that knack for capturing a unique moment albeit from a different time...still the human experience. There's a storytelling element to his work that I find intriguing.
i like the directness of this - that really reflects the basis for the painting - really good - and thanks for joining me on Facebook
This is a wonderful piece! I love the title and the sense that all the subjects are looking at the viewer and squeezing in...great job!
Paula!
I love the expressions on everyone's faces and that they're all staring at the viewer.
Oh, and the two family members wearing sunglasses look super cool too! Must be the shades!
-Dean
omg you are a master!
I just discovered your blog and am so glad I did. Your paintings are wonderful.
This painting is really well done. You must be so proud of your daughter! What a great accomplishment.
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