Snickers and me

Jean Kelly · 05-01-2003, 05:27 PM

Hi! I decided to post this in unveilings this time. I think I'm done.

This one was the most fun of all I've done so far, Snickers was a wonderful model and I could look at my hand for skin tones!

All in all, a better experience than I had anticipated. And... my husband likes his anniversary present.

Jean

Jean Kelly · 05-01-2003, 05:30 PM

Snickers.

Jean Kelly · 05-01-2003, 05:32 PM

Me, up close and personal.

Linda Brandon · 05-02-2003, 11:04 AM

Hi Jean,

This is a wonderful self-portrait, and I'm glad you painted something so gentle and nurturing. Good job with the technique, all your hard work is really paying off here.

Best regards,
Linda

Enzie Shahmiri · 05-02-2003, 02:27 PM

Hi Jean,

I like this piece as well and love the way you handled the self-portrait issue. I find it funny though that your treatment of the cat has made the animal the focal point. Kitty is so strong that you are almost secondary.

I have talked to so many people at the PSOA conference that I am not sure who said what any more, but if memory serves me right both Daniel Greene and Burt Silverman said that they often do not aim for an exact likeness, but rather the essence of the person.

In your case I think you have taken it a step further, the likeness is there and you have accomplished to share something more, insight into your character.

Jean Kelly · 05-02-2003, 03:06 PM

Hi Linda and Enzie,

Thank you, I appreciate this positive response. I did try to show more of my insides than my outside. I feel that I am irrelevant in the grand scheme of life. It isn't about me, it's the art. If I can't get the essence, the work fails.

I always seem to have an animal next to me (or on me). And Snickers is very important to me because of her close brush with death. My vet told me she would have been dead in another 20 minutes. That's cutting it way too close!

I'm trying something new in every portrait that I do. This time a very limited palette. I was amazed by the color that can be created with so few pigments!

Oops, just realized I forgot to put all my freckles in. Do I have to repost with my "spots"!

Jean

Mai Ly · 05-02-2003, 11:55 PM

This is such a lovely piece of work. I can feel the movement and liveliness in the cat! I also love the limited colour palette that you have used. I said the same thing to Linda Nelson's 'Spring Bud' post. I really love them because when they are done right (just like a monochrome painting) they look very effective.

You have done a wonderful job with this painting!

Mai

Michele Rushworth · 05-04-2003, 10:51 PM

Great job, Jean! You have come such a long way.

The limited palette and simple background really helped you achieve a strong and unified impression. Also, this is a very sensitively done face. Super!

Jean Kelly · 05-04-2003, 11:58 PM

I found working with such a limited palette to be quite "liberating". All I had to do was figure out how to get the color I wanted with what I had laid out. Wasn't allowed to peek in the drawer and then end up confusing the color scheme by adding a pigment that created a problem somewhere else in the painting.

The colors as shown here are not a vibrant as they are in person. They look slightly grey, but are softer in reality. I underpainted the sweater and pants with a violet shade (cerulean and cad scarlett) you can just barely see it, also repeated it in the shadowed side of the face, and ended up using it to dull the bright blonde of my hair. Color is amazing.

My husband and I are planning our fantasy wedding portrait. You've seen my gentle side, and Tom's, next one will show the wild, gut level raw side. Don't worry Cynthia, it may not be in great taste but it will be fun!

Jean