Governor's Portrait Unveiling
 

After more than a year in the works, I can finally show this painting. The unveiling was held in the State Capitol on January 4th. What a surreal week it was, doing four different TV and newspaper interviews in my home, having people ask for my autograph at the unveiling itself and making a speech at the State Capitol, with three governors and a load of cameramen and reporters also in the room. Quite the experience.

Congratulations!
 

Michelle, congratulations. It is an absolutely beautiful portrait! Wow!

Wow! The portrait is gorgeous, I love the lighting and composition. What an experience this unveiling must have been!

As a side note... in the picture that shows you from the side, I get the impression that you are wearing a tiara! LOL! (I know it's likely just a pair of glasses :oops: )

Congrats, Michele!

I was smiling as this was downloading, KNOWING it would be a great portrait, but all I can say is

GASP - your best work yet. It is beautiful. I too love the lighting on his face and the hands are awesome and I really like how you painted the leather chair.

Very, very beautiful painting!

Dear Michele,

My hat is off to you! This is a truly magnificent tribute to your Governor, superior in every way. He's very much alive, and engaging. I'm so proud to say I know you! BRAVO!

Like my latest, I suppose it would be tricky to enter into any competitions, but this is surely worthy.

Enjoy the rush of the gathering crowds. You're in the art history books now!

Garth (a Fan)

Hi Michele,
I wish you could see my smile while congratulating you for this beautiful work.
Beautiful skin tones, lighting and composition (I simply loved the way you portrayed the teeth!).
Could you please post some close-ups of the face, hands, armchair and of the curtain?
My kindest compliments.

Wonderful, Michele. This is certainly one of your finest portraits to date. It is beautiful. Congratulations on this important commission - and all the press you are recieving because of it.

Congratulations, Michele!
 

Wow, this is SO wonderful! It is a magnificent portrait. You make him look competent, confident, in touch with the concerns of the people, approachable and kind.

Would you by any chance have some closeups?

Michele, I am so proud of your accomplishments. You are in every sense worthy of this honor and many more.

Wow Michele, this is so engaging and beautifully done. Not just his image, but personality comes across. Everything about this is outstanding! So impressive.

Congratulations!

(And yes.... please post close ups! :oops: :D )

Congratulations Michele :exclamati

I would vote for a man with his expression. This looks very much like him and he and his family is happy as they should be.

You did a wonderful job for your state and you will again I

Congratulations Michele!

I remember when you got this commission - I had wondered about it a couple times. May this lead to more and more prestigious portraits for you.

Michele, this is a terrific painting!. It's beautifully composed, excellent in execution and your subject is expertly portrayed, full of charisma, warmth and strength. You were a wonderful choice for this commission. I am so proud to know you, and a big congratulations!

(Side note: look how you stand out in red among a sea of dull dark suits, you clever woman. Good for you!)

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Fabulous, wonderful, magnificent. Well done. Your high level of professionalism is reaping amazing rewards. Congratulations. Janet

Thanks for all your kind words, folks. Here are some closeups.

Michele, our mutual sculpting friend John J sent me an image of the Olympian article that was published last week displaying this painting. We were both appalled that no mention of your name, as the artist, was included in the article. I'm so glad to see that you are receiving the recognition for it that you so richly deserve.

Congratulations Michele! This is wonderful! Thanks for the close-ups
Debra

How wonderful, Michele! Congratulations! Richly deserved!

Magnificent!

I assume this is going to hang somewhere other than the Governor's home? If so, I predict that you will be painting his lovely family before the end of February.

Oh - and, swanky new haircut. I like!

Heidi wrote: Articles and/or photos about the portrait appeared in seven different area newspapers, and on two or three TV stations. Most of them did mention my name, and three of the articles were feature stories "about the artist", not just about this portrait. I guess learning how to write a press release and sending it out all over the city before the event really paid off!

The Seattle Times ran the story below. The article is quite long and continues onto the next page where there is another photo. I've had cards and letters and phone calls from people I haven't heard from in years about this article -- and from some total strangers, too. One strange guy wrote me an offensive email in the middle of the night about how he didn't like this particular Governor. And a lady I'd never heard of called me up at home one day to say how much she liked the painting. Takes all kinds!

Michele,

This is SO cool! A gorgeous painting, I am so proud of you !!

Congratulations, you really deserve this honor.

Michele, I'm so glad the thread was moved to "unveilings" so more people could see it, because this is really significant.

By the way, I love the photo of you in the article. The photographer was smart to look up at you, use that dramatic lighting, and place your head at the convergence of three paintings. The whole color scheme and background of your work (I am assuming) is perfect. Great for publicity! Wow, the whole thing is really wonderful!

Your admiring fan,

Alex

Dear Michele,

As you must realize by now by all the aclaimed response, this portrait is beyond belief good! Good for the Governor, good for you and good for us as we study your masterpiece! Kudos.

Garth

OH MICHELLE!!! It is fabulous. Congratulations!

Michele, it's really a fantastic portrait, you have somehow managed, despite the official pose, to remove all the stiffness and make this man come across as a real person. I also love the interaction of the face with it's background.
Many many congratulation also for handling PR so well !
Ilaria

Here's an idea of what this looked like in progress.

Michele, big congrats to you! This is outstanding and I'm amazed at how you've handled the press.

Jean

Michele,

What a fascinating insight into your working method: having to resolve a detail in its specific finish and turning of color even before covering up the white of the canvas!

It's fascinating to me, because I am strugging with the opposite approach of quickly and broadly obliterating any trace of the blank canvas, the first day and session (and of course it looks awful at this stage for me, like an extreme of jpeg compression with the worst bunch of artifacts).

Beginning a portrait is always a paradox of paths to take; no matter which approach, there is frustration until the last pieces of the puzzle fall into place and we can finally see what degree of masterpiece we have painted!

Thanks for sharing this glimpse into your successful technique.

Garth

I learned this method from Tony Ryder, as he learned it from Ted Seth Jacobs (who is affilliated with Nelson Shanks' Incaminati school). It's based on the process used by Ingres and David, apparently. Very different from how most of us were taught to paint, I know!

Michele, I meant to respond to this days ago, but must have been distracted before hitting the 'submit reply' button. . .

The painting itself is truly stunning, so beautifully done. Beautiful color, expression and warmth and the embossed chair, too. Wow! I'm amazed to see the in process shot of it... is there essentially a single coat of paint on most of the painting then? The painted part of what you're showing there sure looks as if it could be finished. . . ?

Kudos on all the well-deserved press you're getting too! Great shot of you and several of your paintings in the newspaper article. Masterful painting, masterful marketing. . . Michele, you're going places!

Yes, in many places there is just one coat of paint. Of course, once a section is "done" there are always corrections, so some areas have two or three layers on them.

Michele,

I couldn't wait to see this. I love it when there is an unveiling for you, I just know it is going to be fabulous. Once again, I was not dissappointed.

Super, super job. I am very happy for you.

Congratulations.

Michele, what a lovely portrait this became because of your skill. Heartfelt congratulations, I am proud to know you!

You have officially crossed over to a select few of portrait artist! I hope you drop bread crumbs on the ground for the rest of us to follow!

Bravo! They must have loved this... and side note, you look great and I love the new hair cut!

Wow, what a marvelous job. I have no words for this paint, it is a masterwork, I love the light and the pose so much..compliments.
i think that it'll be interestant to see, if you have, some photos from work in progress. Can you post?

Fabulous, work, Michelle. Sorry I am so late in responding. I have been swamped and have only been able to pop in on rare occasions. I'm sure glad I did it today. Congratulations on a fine work and terrific publicity. You certainly deserve it.

This belongs right up there with Mr. Herrick

Thanks for the close-ups!
The more I see your work, the more I like it.

Press Release
 

[QUOTE=Michele Rushworth] Articles and/or photos about the portrait appeared in seven different area newspapers, and on two or three TV stations. Most of them did mention my name, and three of the articles were feature stories "about the artist", not just about this portrait. I guess learning how to write a press release and sending it out all over the city before the event really paid off!

Michelle,
Your beautiful portraut, evident talent and your successful efforts toward the business end of portraiture are an inspiration. Can you recommend a book to learn how to write a press release?

A lot of the art marketing books (see the book section on this site) will talk about press releases. I'm sure you could also find plenty of information about it online too.

Thanks!
 

Thank you, Michelle. What a welcome reminder of great resources! I just ordered 4 books. :thumbsup:

Congratulations on your wonderful painting and the great exposure it is giving you.