Your portrait has just the right touch of sadness in the otherwise joyful face of this lovely young girl. This only underscores the horror of her death. Beautiful portrait.

Welcome to the Forum.

Rob, you've created a sensitive, wonderful painting. Posthumous paintings are always tough to do and you should be very proud of this one.

I've also painted a murdered teenager, many years ago. I remember that it occured to me at the time that I felt as if I were performing CPR, but clumsily and unsuccessfully.

Your painting will be treasured for years.

Sharon and Linda - I appreciate both of your wonderful comments.

You have all made me feel very welcome, and I thank you. You've also given me the impetus to continue in the field of portraiture with more confidence. I hope to post work of like quality in the near future.

Rob,
Very touching and beautiful. I'm sure it'll bring tears every time they see it.

Thanks, Jimmie - it looks like the unveiling will be this weekend. No doubt there will be a lot of emotion in the room.

Since this is my first commission - and a fairly special assingment, at that - I will report back on how it all went. I just hope that I can hold it together...

Good luck Rob, it's a beautiful painting. My heart is breaking over this too.

Jean

An Angel
 

It appears you have painted an angel with divine inspiration adding to your abundant talent!

Unveiled
 

Just this past Saturday (May 15), I presented the portrait to Cody's family. Needless to say, it was an emotional moment; bittersweet, in truth.

The Jameson Gallery provided me with a great framing job, and they allowed me to unveil the painting there. In fact, they removed a painting so the piece could be viewed in proper lighting on the gallery wall.

I had made the decision a while back to not charge for this painting. Whether or not this seems foolish is beside the point. The only reason I bring this up is because the client insisted on paying for the framing, and Michael - the owner of Jameson Gallery - surprised me at the unveiling. As Cody's stepfather made to settle up for the framing, Michael looked at him and said, "Put away your checkbook; I want you to have this."

It was a wonderful thing.

p.s. - Thanks Jean & Jeanine for your lovely words.... :sunnysmil