Departure

[Jane Bradley]

Geary - Thanks. I have only a shot that was about 3/4's done which I am posting - I made corrections on the head, worked further on the background, added light behind him to give more depth and glazed on the skin. Usually I begin with a sketch of oil or acrylic on the canvas - this one I actually drew out in charcoal because of all the striaght lines (which I have yet to master).

Linda - Thanks so much. The composition was a nice surprise - I was very excited to paint this when I saw the photo I had taken.

Michelle - I think youre right about the significance of the title and the painting. I also happened to have been painting it during the time one of my best friends passed away (not the person in the painting).

Garth - You have a wonderful way with words, that, although I don't deserve, I still think I will print out and paste on my computer for when I need some ego boosting. I guess posting isn't as scarey as I thought it would be...

[Chris Saper]

Jane,

Beautiful work! I love the color harmony, and you have done a wonderful job with reflected light and color in the shadows. Is this the gentleman I met?

[Jane Bradley]

Thanks Chris! This is actually the son of my SO, the man you met. There is definitely a strong family resemblance, though.

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Jane,

There is something very solid in the contrast of colors, with the Mauve background sky, or is it a wall? And the light Mauve in the shirt. It seem like all the colors are building up to support the skin colors.

And the Oleander. Wish I could live in a country where Oleanders grow.

Allan

[Jane Bradley]

Hi Alan,

The background is a wall - I should probably make the seams a little more obvious so you can tell.

It is hard to look somewhere in Arizona and NOT see oleanders - I guess we take these for granted - just like that perpetual sun.