Lauren

This is a little gem portrait of Lauren - one of my beautiful granddaughters.  She is a rising high school senior and will soon leave the nest . In this portrait she is 4 or 5 years old - memory isn't what it used to be.

This painting is executed on a 6" x 8" linen panel, oil is the medium.  I began this painting ten days ago - and finished yesterday July 6, 2012.  

I believe that I have captured her spirit, which is loving, generous, kind and giving.  It is my opinion re: portrait work - to capture the essence of the subject - and I know many think this is artistic babble - but it is true.  If the emotion and soul of the subject is not revealed in the finished product,  it is nothing more than a rendering, or photograph - an exact likeness - and most artists can produce that - but it comes across without warmth - without that spark.  Gifted photographers do a better job of this than a cold stone artist! 

I remember reading that John Singer Sargent (an American expatriate) was considered a hack in is day because he was a portrait artist - I strongly disagree - he was magnificent - he was a painter who painted personalities - he was a rock star!   He produced paintings.  He showed them - his first commission contract was $150,000 - and in his day this was a fortune.  If you are not familiar with his work - look it up online - you will understand.

Say something people - pretty pictures are for people who want to match art and their sofas!  Gad Zooks - take a stand!

Sorry for that emotional outburst - that's just the way I see it!

Later!