Spring

Janel Maples · 12-19-2005, 11:06 PM

If you look up the word "Flower Child" in the dictionary, you may see a picture of Cate. Cate has a Spring birthday (her sister will be Summer) and her mother, an art historian, wanted a portrait that portrays her free spirit.

This is a 16 x 20 oil on linen.

I had a lot of fun with this. Thanks for looking.

Kimberly Dow · 12-20-2005, 01:49 AM

This is beautiful Janel - congratulations!
I bet this was fun to do. The mother sounds like a great client. I just love that background.

Alexandra Tyng · 12-20-2005, 10:05 AM

Janel, this is lovely! You must have enjoyed painting her face with that expression of serene innocence captured so well. Can you post a closeup? And one of the flowers also? The background and frame work well with the theme and with each other.

Janel Maples · 12-20-2005, 11:31 PM

Kim and Alexandra,

Thank you so much for your positive remarks. I really did enjoy this challenge and working with Cate and her mother. Kim, you are right, she is a great client. When she first told me what she had in mind for the portrait I thought "Oh Boy" but once I started making the crown of fresh flowers and working with Cate to get the reference photo I knew this was going to be fun.

Fun, but challenging.

The idea for the background was taken from a set of prints that they own of a wall in Italy. When I visited the home all I could remember was that it looked like a fresh batch of guacamole. Cate's portrait was suppose to hang near that print, but when I presented the portrait to the mother and father they decided to hang it in their formal living room instead. This was quite a boost for me because they took down an original painting that I knew they loved and replaced it with mine. I was thrilled.

I am sorry that I do not have any close ups to post. I have already delivered this portrait.
The flowers are very impressionistic, as is the background.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Patricia Joyce · 12-21-2005, 04:14 PM

Janel,
This is beautiful! I love the mood and the expression on her face, very peaceful/soulful. You have done a bang up job!!! Wish I could see it in person, too.

It was fun to see a painting of yours since we were in Marvin's workshop. Your skintones are beautiful!!!

Happy Holidays
Patty

Janel Maples · 12-21-2005, 05:20 PM

Thank you Patty,

And Happy Holidays to you as well. I should show you all the paintings I have completed since our Vegas workshop (that sure was a fun time wasn't it?) you would die!!!!!

I have over a dozen ABSTRACT (can you believe it?) paintings in my studio. They were all ready to travel to Cozumel with us in November to decorate our condo but then WILMA had to hit. Remember Emily (the hurricane that hit Cozumel while we were in Vegas?) well Wilma put her to shame. UGH!! But THATS another story and I need a shot of tequilla to tell it.

Anyway, this is the first portrait I did since the Vegas workshop and it felt SO good to paint something I can relate to again. The abstract projects were fun, I will admit, but they didn't do anything for me like portraits do.

Ngaire Winwood · 12-22-2005, 10:23 AM

Janel your work has certainly gone up a level since your workshop with Marvin. You have done a great job of her. Great background too. Your clients also showing you that they are thrilled with it hanging it in their pride of place. Well done.

Janel Maples · 12-22-2005, 03:44 PM

Thank you Ngaire,

I am thrilled to hear someone can actually see progress in my work that coinsides with the progress that I know I am making in my head.

Words can not express how much Marvin has helped me over the year and a half that I have known him. The two weeks I spent with him in Vegas were priceless. Because I was the hostess for that workshop (and therefore he was my guest) I was present for the non stop information that comes out of his mouth both in and out of the studio. I joke about it but it is true..... Marvin IS an encyclopedia of portrait related material....... unfortunately, he is also a TALKING encylcopedia. I am poking fun at my dear friend, but to be serious, the man does not stop providing information about anything relating to painting and I loved every minute of it.

Thanks again for your kind remarks.