Passing moments
 

Hi all! This is a small study I started last night of my daughter with her little bear friend. I can't help but think that at 7 I will not be seeing scenes like this for much longer. WIth slumber parties creeping in and phone calls to friends already, I think I'm on borrowed time for the sweet little moments.

Smaller than anything I have ever done, this one is an oil on Pastelbord (yes, really) 11 X 14 which forced me to rely on the color to show the details for the most part though I was compelled to put in a few stray hairs.

I do think these photos are ever so slightly warmer than the painting and of course the paint is still wet so I apologize for the little areas of glare.

Thank you for looking. By next year I will be complaining that these days are gone. I'm already on the verge of tears.

Lisa,

Whatever you do don't snap your fingers three times. In the time it takes to get to the third snap she will be off to college. If you could freeze them in time this would be a good age.

Wonderful painting.

Lisa, it is terribly sad that they grow up so quickly, but at least these paintings will remind us not only of how they looked, but also all the emotion and love we had for them while painting.
My children are sitting for me now, and I keep telling them(in between their moanings and -is it finished yet) that these moments are for me a dream come true.
I think that this picture screams love and intimacy and possession.
Well done to you, it shows you must have enjoyed painting it
Ilaria

Ah, Mike, you are so right. Last time I snapped my fingers she went from a pacifier to a clock radio. I do think this would be a good age for a freezing. I'd catch her before the boys bring her to tears but after the potty training.

Ilaria, I have heard the "can I stop standing here now" questions too. I wish I could answer, "no, stay there forever." I did enjoy this painting in a bittersweet way...the way I feel every time I paint one of my kids.

Thanks to you both for your kind comments on the painting and for your sensitive responses which make me feel less like a little less of a wimp.

Off to drive my subject to camp. Nah, I am definitely a wimp.

Lisa,
How true about the kids growing up too fast. I

Lisa, there is a lovely radiance to this piece, and wonderfully rendered textures, too. (How can you work so small! I would go insane.) Congratulations on another beautful pastel.

Sorry, I don't know anything about children ( as I don't have any ) BUT I do know this is one hell of a great portrait!

Beautiful work, Lisa! I love everything about it. :thumbsup:

Lisa,
You are blessed with a beautiful child and now with a treasured memory of that never to be repeated moment in time. The painting is captivating. I only did one painting of each of my children as they were growing up. I wish now I had done one a year.

Beautiful.

-David

Dear Lisa,

Very successful! And beautifully handled :) hands.

Allan, thank you! I think I have averaged one a year but I wish I had done more. Well with the amount of practice I need I can make up for lost time.

Linda, thank you so very much! I think I messed up by forgetting to note that this is oil. I'll try to go edit. It does drive me insane to work this small but I had to try it. This is the first time I have done a portrait this size. Everything else has been close to life-size. I must say, it makes an interesting presentation at this size.

Isabel, you are way too nice. Oh how I wish I was your age with your talent. Thank you for the compliment.

Richard, yes only one moment like this but the good thing is that every moment painted is the same way. Thank you for the nice comments on my little subject.

David, thank you for that succinct but slightly over-generous compliment. I will however take it and run.

Chris, you made my day because I always agonize over hands. That's probably why I do so many vignettes. The stress of painting hands all the time would kill me but ah, I'll tackle those fears and boldly go where I...no..well...we'll see.

Thank you to all of you for commenting on my little girl and on the painting.

Lisa,
What beautiful work. I think you

My koala
 

I think what Lisa said brought something out of me now as i read this thread.
I have this pre-school girl, whom i taught art to at a local artschool. She'll always be in my heart "The Koala" because everytime before she starts her art class, she'll hug her mom, legs up and all like a koala bear! Then the last time i saw her, she and her toddler little sister wrapped around my legs before they left for home!

That hug left me missing her for a long time that she stopped coming for class. Last Saturday she came back! And my, has she grown taller! Somehow, i suddenly had that notion in me, "Please koala, don't grow up...i want this moment forever..." I hope i don't stick around the art school to see her through Primary 6 - or twelve years old (i dunno what grade will she be in the US ed. system)
God...i feel sucky now... :(

Jerome, you're very sweet. Thanks for the compliment. I'm glad it I'm not the only sentimental one here.

Marcus, you have made comments that show you must be a great teacher. Don't feel sad your student is growing up. Be happy that you made such a positive impact on her. She will likely remember you for life as well!

Thanks both of you. I feel good hearing stories about how others recall similar personal situations from seeing the painting. If any of you figure out how to freeze them for a little longer please let me know. For now I think I may just go paint my son as well.