George on Montgomery

[Linda Brandon]

I'm a big fan of your fresh, painterly technique, Alex - it has so much energy, perfect for this subject. I love the composition, too, and it looks like you had a lot of fun with it. Congratulations!

[Kimberly Dow]

ooooo - I love this. It is beautifully done and so fresh.

Alex, what is that in the background? Looks like some kind of marble.. like a fireplace surround, but no fireplace?
Whatever it is I like it!

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Alex,

You know how lucky I am to have actually seen this in life in your studio! As everyone is expressing, this is truly stunning, fully capturing of the life in this subject, and beautifully designed. You always design your compositions so well. Another favorite!

Garth

[Janel Maples]

Couldn't you just eat him up?

I love it when a portrait brings such a smile to my face. You can't see it, but know it is there.

Janel

[Alexandra Tyng]

Many thanks, Marina, Linda, Kim, Garth, and Janel!

I couldn't help but paint George with lots of life. He was busy with one thing or another the entire time I was there. He also has a sweet personality which I tried to capture. When he smiles he just lights up. His mom wanted me to paint his "little chicklets" (teeth) so I figured out a way to do that without a toothy grin, which I think would have looked too "frozen."

Kim, the marble thing in the background is a fireplace surround. You see them in a lot of Victorian houses around here,but usually with an open grate that originally was meant to burn coal. This one was closed, but had an arched ornate heating register in the center at floor level. I've never seen one like that before. I eliminated the heating vent to simplify the composition for two reasons: 1) I'm not sure its identity would be easily understandable, as it would be partially behind George's sweater, and 2) it would have complicated George's sillhouette.

Thank you all again for the kind words.

[Janet Kimantas]

What a gorgeous painting, Alex. Fresh, lively, cute as all get out... I am struck by a very lively texture to the surface - am I seeing that right? It just seems so vibrant. Beautifully done. Janet

[Terri Ficenec]

Ooooh Alex I love this! you've made it look so natural. Love the composition, the expression on his face and how you've included the train set. Scrumptious!

How big is it?

[Alexandra Tyng]

Thanks, Lacey--I like the thought about the dancing light.

Julie, thank you-- I didn't turn them out so fast, really. I tend to wait until I get several paintings completed before getting them professionally photographed. The photographer does so much better than I could ever dream of doing, so I prefer to wait and post when I get really good images. His name is actually "George" and I can't explain the "Montgomery " part on the internet, but I guess you figured out it was not a horse!

Sharon, thank you for the kind words. Impish is definitely an apt description. I think his parents would agree.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Alex, the painting is so full of life. Very nice!