SOLD - Girl with a Rose - 6 x 8"

I really enjoyed working on this Portrait. It was based on a reference photo I took of my friend a few years back when she visited me in Massachusetts (back when I lived there). We had gone into the city that day, doing the usual sightseeing, shopping, and catching up on each others' lives.

We happened to be walking trough Boston Common when this lovely, old-ish lady handed her a rose. Then came the expected "Would you like to donate..." line. I honestly can't remember whether she handed the nice lady a few bucks or not, but obviously she ended up with the rose.

I snapped some photos of her that day, and years later, here I am posting a painting from one of those references. The reason I didn't name the painting "Lise" (which is my friend's name, by the way...) is because I don't think it looks enough like her. I hadn't set out to paint an exact likeness anyway, although most folks are convinced it looks just like her (she even said so...). But still, I'm the artist, and I'd rather refer to this one as "the painting inspired by Lise" :)

Anastasia, 9 x 12"

I love painting portraits... I really do! But this one was particularly difficult. First, Anastasia is just a toddler, so that in itself is a huge challenge... I wanted to make her look as "fresh" and innocent as she is in real life.

Secondly, this was very first portrait done in Oils (actually, more like my first successful painting of any subject in Oils...). Coming from a Watercolor background, this was a huge leap for me.

And lastly, her demeanor in the reference photo wasn't exactly what most people would like to see in a child (I don't know how many times I kept getting comments like "But she looks so sad?", and "What was she pouting about?"). Personally, I loved her facial expression, and that's why I chose it for my painting. After all, I am the artist, right? :D

All in all, I was pretty happy with the painting, especially seeing how it was my first and all. I did give it to her parents for a Christmas gift, framed and all, and they were just speechless. They now having it hanging in their main living room, and anyone walking through the front door immediately sees it. That makes me happy :D