A Christmas Gift

Man's Best Friends

One of the nicest things about doing portraits are when they are commissioned as a gift. This painting was completed just a couple of weeks before Christmas to be a gift to a loved one. There is a story behind every portrait that Norman illustrates. We listen to their stories before starting a painting. In this case it is about a man and his dogs. 

Nothing better than a mother's smile of approval on this one.

Working in Black and White

A client came to us with an old small black and white photograph of herself and her mother that she though would be nice enlarged to a 14" X 11" size. The photo was time warn and not sharp. It would look all the less sharp when enlarged. With old black and white photos, unless we know the coloring of our clients and are given some creative room, doing a full color painting becomes problematic.

So Norm and I suggested to render it as a highly rendered black and white pencil drawing as shown. It would keep its softness and look beautiful on archival paper.

All the better for a Christmas gift!

Winter is Coming!

A Winter's Walk

It has been a long time since I have written about Norman's work.  Norman and I have been off line for multiple reasons. One is he has been helping me get my artwork ready for the Lakewood Art Festival this August 3rd, in which we both will show our work. Two, he took a spill on our roof while fixing the chimney, dislocating his finger and tearing a ligament in his shoulder which meant rehab so he could move his arm. Then there was my mother's illness, passing, and funeral. And of course the delightful addition of my grandson who we watch for part of the week. Of course that means we get little done except for diapers and bottles. Somehow I never thought retirement equaled being busy, but so far it has been just that. Now Norman is thinking of getting back in his groove and doing some personal work along with work for clients.

This piece was done for a client based on some of her photography of scenes that she loves. It is always interesting to see what images a client connects to. What memories it stirs. I always think of a painting as the rose colored glasses of our imaginations of the past. They add a bit of romance or atmosphere. Where photos are like a recording of a past moment, a painting captures a dream. 

Being July, winter seems like a long way off, but has author George RR Martin writes: "Winter is coming!"