My daughter's visit has come to an end and she has returned to Amsterdam. We had a wonderful time together - shopping, talking, seeing local sites, eating in fabulous restaurants, celebrating Christmas and hearing all about her adventures in Europe over the past few months. It all went by so quickly and her leaving once again has left an empty place in my heart. She is such a joy and assures me that she is very happy in her life overseas. I can tell that she is and that does help to soothe my soul a bit.
So it is back to the easel for me - a quick oil portrait of Alberto Giacometti done from a black and white photo after a preparatory graphite sketch.
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| Giacometti / 16x12 / oil on gessoed cardboard |
Another small painting sold at the stellar Roux & Cyr Gallery in Portland, Maine! That was happy news.
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| Into the Frying Pan / oil on canvas / 11x14 / Sold |
And a photo of Kim and her Dutch Friend Hans on our front stoop just a few days ago!
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| Kim and Hans / December 2016 |
What a fabulous portrait - love the colors - full of spirit and I feel Giacometti is moving. How do you do that? So talented...you can even make dead fish look great!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is really lovely and with a sweet smile like that I understand how much you will miss her, and she will certainly miss you. When my daughter moved there was a huge void so I can relate.
Hi, Julie - the portrait allowed me the freedom to get my feet wet without any pressure after some time away from the easel. I always feel so hesitant when picking up my brushes after painting lull. It's good to fight through that with an alla prima piece like this one. Thanks for the comment about the fish! I love that! :)
DeleteI love your portrait Susan!!!! Very unique...loose and beautiful! Congratulations on selling the painting of the fish...awesome news!!!! As far as your daughter, if she's happy we as Moms feel better about them being so far away... Of course you're going to miss her but from what I see here in this wonderful photo....she's okay!!!! She's such a beautiful girl!!!!! ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you for your wonderful comment - and you are absolutely right about my daughter. She is strong and smart and beautiful and I know she will be just fine. I am so very proud of her!
DeleteVery beautiful paintings !!!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2017 !!!
Many thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment - your words are greatly appreciated! And a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!
DeleteBonjour Chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteUn petit billet rempli d'optimisme... même si ta fille est un peu trop loin de toi... Elle est heureuse et là est bien l'essentiel pour une maman. Tu as partagé avec elle des moments savoureux qui vont combler ton coeur pour les jours à venir...
J'adore ce portrait de Giacometti ! Un bel hommage !
Toutes mes félicitations pour la vente de cette dernière oeuvre chez Susan ! Une oeuvre que je n'ai pas eu la chance d'admirer sur place...
Je te fais de gros bisous et te souhaite de belles fêtes de Noël...
A very Merry Christmas to you, Martine - and many thanks for filling our eyes with your beautiful, imaginative art work this year. I look forward to much more in 2017!
DeleteHi Susan. This is what I call a portrait. Lovely and loose only you can produce a portrait like this. Also the fish. I could really enjoy eating these they look gorgeous..have a lovely Christmas my friend. Your daughter looks wonderful too. A happy Christmas to you all.
ReplyDeleteVic.
Vic.
So glad yu like it, vic. I admit to feeling sad that you are not yet painting again - perhaps in 2017 the bug will bite you and we will see more of your lovely work. I wish you a very happy Christmas and a wonderful new year, Vic. Thank you for you comments this past year - they have meant so much to me.
DeleteHoliday Greetings Susan! I love the portrait. I love that you don't blend all your colors together. It's lively and vibrant. Nice sale on the fish!!
ReplyDeleteThank, Stephanie - I am so lucky to have two such wonderful galleries. They keep me inspired! I loved your pine cones and the fact that they were selected for use on a Christmas card - that is just wonderful! Happy holidays to you and yours!
DeleteYou certainly captured the likeness and the movement. The paintings selling like hot ... fish, always nice.
ReplyDeleteWe have a house full at Christmas - 4 generations/nationalities/religions!!! This family is never conventional. Hope you can Skype Kim at Christmas.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2017
Wow - I envy you all that activity at Christmas, John - what fun! This year my son works for four straight days over Christmas eve and day and then the same over New Years eve and day. We have always had such big celebrations in the past but this year will be quiet. It's snowing heavily right now so it looks like a white Christmas by the fire for Victor and I with a glass of wine in hand and loads of wonderful memories! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, John, and the best New Year ever!
DeleteWonderful portrait full of life , and congrats on another sale , you certainly deserve it. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and all the best in the New Year.
ReplyDeleteIt always amazes me when someone selects one of my paintings to purchase - its such a thrill. Thanks for following my blog this year - and a very merry Christmas and the best New Year ever to you!
DeleteI love the portrait, Susan! Although you already celebrated Christmas with your daughter, I still wish you happy holidays and a wonderful 2017!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful paintings, Susan! Lots of life in the portrait! The photo of Kim and her friend is stunning. Have a blessed holiday and may good things come your way in 2017.
ReplyDeleteJudging by the photo, it looks like your daughter and her friend are very happy together. I am so glad they were with you for such a wonderful visit.
ReplyDeleteAnd your Giacometti is superb!!! You have captured him so well, and somehow infused his rough, lean style of sculpture into this portrait.
I wish you a very happy Christmas, Susan!
Kathryn