Here’s a portrait of my son Frank that I painted from life when he was six years old.
At that age, it was basically impossible to get him to hold still for an hour-and-a-half portrait, except for this unusual circumstance.
We were staying on a farm in Ireland, and he discovered a kitten that was being harassed by dogs. The dogs kept playing with the poor thing, picking it up in their mouths, until it got soaking wet and completely exhausted.
Frank rescued the kitten and put it in his lap. It fell instantly asleep under his protection. For as long as it slept, he held as still as a statue.
We were staying on a farm in Ireland, and he discovered a kitten that was being harassed by dogs. The dogs kept playing with the poor thing, picking it up in their mouths, until it got soaking wet and completely exhausted.
Frank rescued the kitten and put it in his lap. It fell instantly asleep under his protection. For as long as it slept, he held as still as a statue.
The painting is 10 x 8 inches in oil.
The story behind this painting makes it that much more amazing. Your kid's a bad ass. I could only imagine what he was feeling and thinking, which is a moment you definitely captured... Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat stories make great illustrations.
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesome portrait! I like how you did the background and how you captured the expression on his face so well. Your connection with him is so evident in the way you painted this.
ReplyDeleteLovely painting and story!
ReplyDeleteGreatly captured!
Cheers
Beautiful painting with a wonderful story. Canvas? Canvas board?
ReplyDeleteVery nice story and very nice painting. It's a good reminder too, to us artist/parents, about how rewarding it is to paint our kids. That gives me an idea for my next piece...:)
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! That made my day! I read your blog every day and gain so much from it as a student artist. Keep up the wonderful work! Melody
ReplyDeleteHello:) Love the painting. Painted with lots of feeling in it!
ReplyDeleteCharming. Lovely painting, lovely story.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely story, and a lovely portrait.
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the challenge of capturing a good likeness of your own child. My eight-year old daughter is one the hardest subjects I can think of - the constant movement is part of it. But there's something else - kind of a deep thing - psychological even. I guess I have trouble with objective observation when it comes to her? I suppose I hold and cherish a very idealized concept in my head. Something to work on :-)
Happy Derby Day, Sinco de Mayo, Free Comicbook Day and end of the Mayan Calendar!
Kindly,
JG
I love how a painting can capture a moment in time like this- very nice
ReplyDeleteA very heartwarming story and I am so glad you shared the resulting painting with us! Love the tenderness you have captured.
ReplyDeleteBless!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story behind the painting.
Reminds me of this old child hood photo that was taken of me and my neighbor. I had placed plastic glasses that came from one of those potato heads on his pet black cat named Scotty and was holding the kitty for his photo shoot. :D
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