Daniel at 21
 

Hello all.

This is a painting of my son, who turned 21 this summer and went out West to seek his fortune. It all affected me quite deeply, and I painted this. All thoughts and critiques are welcome, I posted it here simply because it's done.

Janet

He is a handsome young man. I am sure he will be ok going out west. Trust him and let him know that you do. Let him know that you will be there no mater what and that he can call about what ever. Where out west? The painting is awesome! What size? I know you will hang it in a prominent place that way you will see him every day.

Mischa! Thanks so much for your kind words. The painting is 24 x 30". Not sure about the metric... :bewildere
Thanks for asking: He's in Alberta (very oil-rich at the moment, lots of opportunity) working at a resort in the Rocky Mountains and snowboarding. *sigh* :sunnysmil

Janet, with Quebec so close you should have your metrics down pat. 12" is nudging 30cm or 1" = 2,5cm. So, now you know.

Alberta! brrrr. the snow drifts and those flat land winds are something else. I know you packed some warm stuff for him. Had a chance to travel the Trans Canada a number of times, some years ago, heading for Victoria. At the time was in the market to buy one of them Island, built on the rock English stile houses. Those were the good o days. I like your choice of old master paintings you did, was it last year? Good job! I plan to do the same one starting soon maybe next wk. Just finished one the Etude dune femme by William Bouguereau.

Keep up the good work, the best way to stay warm in Canada.

Hi Janet!
Nice composition! You painted your son like if he's going to fly away, full of hope...
I like the way you didn't finished the bottom of the painting...
Good job!

Hi Janet,

It's been a while! This is a fine portrait with a lot of feeling in it. I agree he's very handsome and you've made him look the part in the "Young Man Heading West" theme. It will be good to hang this on your wall and send your son good thoughts.

Hi Marina, thanks a lot. The flying away full of hope was a big part of my intent. I'm glad it seems to be working.

Hi Alex. :) It has been a while! Thanks for looking. We'll see about hanging it on the wall. It's a little... shocking.

This could aptly be titled "Go West, Young Man". Where's he headed? My sister left Ontario at the age of 18 to head to parts unknown in the West and eventually our whole family ended up in Western Canada with her.

Hi Janet, nice to see you again on here! I agree with the rest of the posters here - there's a lot of emotion in this painting, I'm glad you posted it.

Linda - thanks. Nice to see you again, too. :sunnysmil

Michelle - the title is "Four Strong Winds", a song that turned me into a pile of mush when my daughter "went out to Alberta"! My brother went to BC first, some of my ex's family went out next, then my parents, then my kids! Just a matter of time for me, as long as I can dig my partner's roots out of SW Ontario.

Thanks for looking, everyone.

Janet