Thanks, Denise, Elizabeth, Jean, and Sharon!

Denise: Thanks, I have benefitted also from this forum.

Beth: Thanks! What edges? (just kidding)

Jean: Your welcome! Glad to be of help.

Sharon: Thanks! Your kind words mean a lot to me. It would be a high honor indeed to show with you! Good luck with the show. I'd like to see it. Seeing everyone's great works on this forum is making me work harder too. I did most of this painting since joining. As Michele R. says, the bar is very high here, and that's been inspirational.

Thanks for all the feedback! I just wanted to mention that my other painting, Apotheosis of the Chunnel, which was the inspiration for Apotheoun, can be seen in my introduction in the Meeting Place: Introduce Yourself: Greetings from Philadelphia: page #4: post # 34 http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=4033.

My wife seems to prefer the original concept of Apotheosis of the Chunnel, although I feel Apotheoun is a better example of painting (the former is from 10 years ago).

Dear Garth,

I don't know how I missed seeing this painting of yours earlier this week. It is extraordinary and wonderful. I'm going to go back and print out what you've written about velatura. You've put living forms in a soft bath that is very appealing.

I also wanted to tell you, for what it's worth, that I had a strong emotional reaction to this painting. To lie in the sun, totally relaxed, completely protected by Moms who will die to protect you... wow! When will this level of trust and safety happen again, other than in childhood; who will ever guard us again this way?

This may not actually be what you were getting at in this painting, but this is what I got out of it. If this were to hang on my wall, I would keep this feeling whenever I looked at the painting, and that gut feeling is what would make me buy it.

Quite interesting, and refreshing on the Forum - although am wondering if the blue shoes are really necessary there...

Garth--

Just an incredible piece....

Wonderful to have it here to learn from. Thanks for posting and commenting so generously.

Best--TE

Dear Linda, Sergio, and Tom:

Thank you so much for all your positive comments. I think you know how encouraging and rewarding your feedback can be. This painting seems to convey more of a message than I intended. I don't mind this. It is interesting to learn from other's perspectives.

Linda said: "I also wanted to tell you, for what it's worth, that I had a strong emotional reaction to this painting. To lie in the sun, totally relaxed, completely protected by Moms who will die to protect you... wow! When will this level of trust and safety happen again, other than in childhood; who will ever guard us again this way?" To me, there were no such profound thoughts as I painted this. I just was happy with the energy of the composition and loved the play of the sunlight.

I think one reason my personal response is lower key than Linda's is that I have had this composition stewing in my mind for over twenty years, while Linda is getting a "gut" reaction from seeing it for the first time. Sergio, I appreciate your critique about the blue shoe. I personally like it as a compositional device. And Tom, thanks for your kind words about my responses, but I think I have a tendancy to over-explain.

You are all such talented artists whose works I really respect and can learn from. Thanks!

Sincerely,

Garth

That's it; I'm done!
 

Anyone want to buy an easel, paints or brushes?

Garth, I will NEVER get a commission with you out there.

For what it is worth, this is how I want to paint someday.

Man, I have SO much to learn.

Back to my studio.

Gosh Garth,
You sure know how to stike a chord and get people talking in the posts you start. Like Linda, I don't know how I missed this post this week, but am glad I stumbled upon it just now. Reminds me also of my childhood growing up in southern California - always a pool nearby, sun in your face. Those could be my mother's legs there exactly. Exceptional job - so glad you shared this.

Dear Janel,

Thanks for the high compliment. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I don't know if it has occurred to you that you are not the only Forum artist to feel this way about another's work. - I often have the same emotional response looking at other's talents and works. I hope you weren't serious in your message because I have seen your posts and think your paintings are just fine. I know you will be getting commissions. Man, there is so much I want to learn too! Thats kind of why we join this Forum.

Happy painting,
Garth

Hi Heidi,

Thanks for the compliments, but how do I keep this thread from getting too long?

[QUOTE=Garth Herrick]
I hope you weren't serious in your message because I have seen your posts and think your paintings are just fine

No Garth, I am not serious about selling my supplies. I am too much in love with this adventure I am on to do such a thing. It was my way of paying you a compliment.

As for me ever getting a commission...........who cares? I am happy and storage space is cheap. ;)

Of course, a commission WOULD be nice.

Google Apotheoun
 

I just googled "Apotheoun" and found that this thread is now #2 in a search. It makes one wonder whether a carefully chosen title could draw attention through Google, or another search engine. What could make a high visibility title? Marvin Mattlelson's "Sylvia at Seventeen" for example comes out #1, in a Google search, with all it's Forum hits. I guess whatever we post can be found through Google. We better be careful what we say!

Actually most titles of Forum threads, I have checked in the last few minutes have high visibility in Google.

I am late posting this, as I haven't been here in awhile, but I have to say that this painting has changed the way I see. It's learning experience just looking at it. Thanks for posting it.

Thanks, Linda, for the profound compliment!

I just discovered your website tonight, and your portraits are changing the way I see, too.

Garth

Garth:
I saw some similar handling: tidiness, and in some way, dealing light by scumbling, at Peng Bin's painting: (Mao with Lin Biao at) Lou Shan Pass.
One may ask: why you are telling these seemly unrelated stories? Because we need to know. For instance, learn some strategies from Lin Biao help us to win in every battle: business, painting as well.
A client found out that my name is positioned in two #1 listing in Google, (thank you Google!) owing to Cynthia's tireless effort

Hi SB:

I tried a Google search of Peng Bin, but did not see specifically what you are talking about. Do you care to elaborate?

You are right. Cynthia has been more than generous in her efforts to provide us with the best possible forum environment. She has created such a lively and vital forum that it is quite often the case that more is being said and echanged about a thread or a topic here than anywhere else on the web. I think that is why a Google search of a name, topic or concept discussed in this Forum turns out to be so fruitfully prominent on that search engine. There is a lot of activity in this Forum and we have Cynthia to thank for all that. Apparently there have been a whole lot of visiters here in the last few days, helping to increase the level of visibility of this Forum on the web level. I think acknowledging Cynthia relates to the gist of your comment, but if I missed your point here let me know.

Garth

Hi:Garth
About Peng Bin
http://forum.portraitartist.com/showthread.php?t=3183

I found my painting Apotheoun, was the topic of a healthy discussion elsewhere outside of this Forum, where it was in the process of being fairly and levelly critiqued. Since I didn't solicit the discussion, I was suprised to discover it midstream. It was eye opening for me and interesting to know what others really think. In fairness the feedback was offered in the spirit of a learning environment. I won't add more because it is fair to to keep the focus here on this Forum. Here in this Forum in the Unveilings section there are no critiques permitted. The exhibiting artist only gets praise, support, and encouragement where warranted, and nothing is ever said to make the artist doubt their abilities or feel discouraged. With the outside feedback I have gained some interesting insights that perhaps help me to discern the pulse of the wider viewing artist community.

Good points were raised about the validity of working from a photograph, whether figures should ever be cropped, whether the negative space is effectively designed, and whether the blue shoe really needs to be there. I am reasonably comfortable with this painting, so in my own mind I feel the way it has been painted is justified, and I am not in the position to change anything now. Here in this Forum I have gotten nothing but encouragement, which believe me, I appreciate. Only now I wonder how I would fare if this Unveilings section were actually open to critiques.

Thanks all, for the endless praise and support!

Garth

P.S.: SB, is Peng Bin still actively painting? Does he know you?

Dear Garth,

If you would like critique, I just wanted to remind you to please feel free to post in the Critique section.

Hi, Garth:
I met Peng Bin years ago at the house of Ren Bishi's daughter, Ren Yuanzhi. Not only Peng, Yuanzhi and her husband, well-known for his treatment on leukemia, work at military Museum, they also are inmates for 5-10 years under Mao's wife's despotic power.
He is listed as "middle Aged " artist for his health, still paints.

Hi Chris,

Thanks for your kind invitation to post "Apotheoun" in the Oil Critiques section. It hadn't occurred to me as an option because I reasoned this painting was beyond its completion deadline, done and in a public exhibition. I have been rewarded with a lot of good feedback between the exhibition and this Forum unveiling, and I haven't heard much to be concerned about until with surprise, I happened upon the discussion in progress about me on a different forum earlier this week. I am all for the truth being known, and I welcome anyone to speak their mind to me.

Again, my reluctance to post in the Oil Critiques section, is merely that I am not in a position to modify this painting, so following our Forum's guidelines, it might not make sense to use up Forum space to accumulate suggestions for changes that would not be executed. However, I am of an open mind and if our Forum membership has a desire to critique this painting, I am game for the mutual learning experience.

Sincerely,

Garth

Garth, what a great lighting.

And the slight out of focus hazy atmosphere is also fascinating.
Beautiful portrait.

Ilaria

Ilaria,

Thanks so much! I really enjoy your work, and feel oddly connected because of an alledged ancestor who moved from Venice to London, circa 1560. The Merchant [from] Venice? It sounds romantic but who knows if it is true.

I contributed elsewhere, some wordy thoughts on the motivation for my painting:

"This painting represents an intimate detail out of a favorite slide I photographed exactly 23 years ago. The boy and his mother basking in the warmth of the late afternoon sun made a serene and beautifully poetic moment together; a fleeting moment in life, captured. On a personal note, these are friends of mine represented in the painting; we were out enjoying a community picnic and day of recreation. In the ensuing 23 years I have painted several versions and variations of this imagery, and this is the latest.

"The human figure in any manifestation or gesture is compelling as subject matter. Here unadulterated youth and maturity are together in quiet communion. Suggesting a dialogue, the late afternoon raking sun adds drama and grammar to their topology. Within the contours of luminence a sublime countenance is revealed. Colors turn, shift and dance within and without the changing light. Yet within the overall captured stillness, there's another level of subtle activity, both evident and implied. This is the magic of life that motivates me to paint.

"Facing in the presence of the actual painting, the viewer relates to figures painted to life in scale. This adds another level of immediacy to the experience. I have no underlying story to tell or great message to convey. This is left to the individual viewer to create, drawing from their own unique paths and experiences.

"In sum, the image moved me. I painted it as a personal meditation upon the traditions and teachings borne out of the legacy of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, as distilled and related by my instructor Arthur DeCosta. What I hoped to accomplish with this was to personally grow along my journey as a painter. What I hope to communicate is my mystical joy of the experience."

Garth

Exhibition Update:
 

Apotheoun has been selected among thirty works of art for inclusion in the summer exhibition at the School of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, from now until August !st, 2004. Anyone who wants to see it while in Philadelphia can find the school's gallery at 1301 Cherry Street, right next to the Pennsylvania Convention Center complex at 13th Street. I believe the gallery is open seven days a week until 7:00 p.m. Below is a link to the Alumni Newsletter for additional information:

http://www.pafa.org/alumniNewsletter.jsp

Garth

Sunlight
 

Garth, this sunlight on bare skin is really extremely well painted. It is also one very tough subject. Sorolla would be proud!

PS I like the design.

Sorolla!
 

Gosh Tim,

Thanks so much for your kind remarks! I would love to some day paint like Sorolla did. He is one of the virtuosos in painted sunlight I most admire. I wish he were around to give demonstations, workshops, and mentor as you do. Where's the key to that time travel machine anyway?

There is a wonderful Sorolla beach scene buried in permanent storage at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I came upon it quite by accident while working behind the scenes in the deep sub-levels of the museum last June. I was shocked that such a wonderful painting was presently viewable only in dim fluorescent utility lighting, while hung from a metal screen. I believe one can make an appointment and arrange to study it. It may be presently in the new storage/study facility that PMA has just built within the former Philadelphia Naval Yard. I would post a picture of this except it contains some some innocent nudity. I wish the PMA would display it in their galleries.

Garth

PS: I've added image details from that PMA Sorolla (edited for nudity). Sorry about the terrible quality if the scans, they do the painting no justice. Hopefully you will get the idea though that it is a shame it is not on display.

The Source Image
 

Since youve kindly resuscitated this old thread, Tim, I thought I might as well take the time to reveal my sources. Here is the original 1981 slide photo approximately cropped to match the painting, along with the painting for comparison. The slide was not all that sharp, as photos go. I thought it might be interesting to see what I had to work with, and how the painting deviates.

Garth

The painting is much better than the reference Garth. I'm still in awe of this painting! Glad to see it resurrected to marvel at all over again. . .

Dear Terri,

Thank you! I'm as surprised as anyone is that this thread has again been resurrected, and I am honored to share it with you one more time. There are still a number of small imperfections that are easier to spot with the painting and reference side by side, but after all that is because of and what makes it a painting. I am flattered and encouraged to know you believe it's an improvement on the slide photograph reference.

Appreciatively,

Garth

Faculty Exhibition
 

I have some good news to report, especially if you are in the Philadelphia neighborhood over the next month:

"Apotheoun" will be a part of the Faculty Exhibition at the Wayne Art Center , located in the Main-Line suburbs of Philadelphia. The exhibition opening is this Sunday, September 11th, 2005, and the show continues through October 7th.

Please come to the opening from 3 to 5 PM, this Sunday if you can!

I guess this means I will aim to be teaching something about portraiture and painting as well, in a short while (January). Wish me luck with that! Any suggestions and recommendations are appreciated.

See you!

Garth

Here are some brand new images of better quality, and color truer to the subtlty of the palette:

Congratulations!
 

Garth,

As you know, I saw this piece in person and it is amazing. The boldness and strength of the abstract design and the realistic colors, forms, and textural illusion overwhelmed me at the same time, so it was hard to know which to concentrate on first. My favorite parts are the boy's chest and armpit shadow. They are so real they are palpable. Thanks so much for lugging it over to my studio and back out to the car in the rain. I really appreciated your efforts!

It is wonderful that you are in the faculty show at the Wayne Arts Center. That's a plum of an arts center; congrats for getting the position. I am sure you will be a much sought-after teacher no matter what you do, so don't sweat it. I will definitely be at the opening on Sunday!

Alex

I'll be there, too!
 

Can't wait to see this work in person! :sunnysmil

Garth, you continue to astound me. I am a big fan of yours, now.
I think you should move to Louisville and teach here. :D

Thanks!
 

What a nice response to an obscure announcement!

Alex, it was such a treat to visit you a couple of months ago. Rainy or not, your studio felt sun-filled through your paintings and personality. Hey, it will be wonderful to see you at the opening! This is so last-minute, and I did not want this announcement to get in the way of your more important show opening next Friday. I will surely be there too. Our two shows are a mere 2 or 3 miles apart, so it should be possible for many to see both if they are in the area.

Thanks for your kind praise. The boy's chest and armpit structure do seem a main focus with the strongly sculpted fall of the light. I will admit I focused a lot there, as well as in the illumination the hair. It was a little hair pulling and challenging to get these symbiotic passages to read right; to have the right intensity of light of just the right temperature, along with the quest for the perfect supportive halftone transitions into shadow. One small false tone, and the whole illusion collapses; which it did a few times along the way until all the reworking of the forms and luminence finally became cohesive.

I was only invited to this Faculty Exhibition a couple of days ago. I received a warm response from the Wayne Art Center staff upon the delivery, and a comprehensive guided tour of the expanding studio facilities under construction. This certainly beats having Apotheoun idly parked on my studio floor! I'm excited.

Molly! That's so wonderful that you are coming too! Are you bringing your great new camera? I would not mind seeing the painting you are showing Alex, as well. I look forward to meeting you and having a couple of Forum friends at the opening. What more could one ask for? Can't wait!

Brenda, Thanks! It is so nice getting to know you on the Forum, and appreciate your support. I have to return to Kentucky one of these days. I know my late grandmother originated from those fabled licks and hills, and fiercely held onto her easy-paced accent all her life with a sense of southern pride. Tell me more about teaching in Louisville....

Again, with appreciation,

Garth

Hi Garth!
 

I am absolutely bringing my camera! I'll have my painting as well, but believe me, the camera is far more interesting . . . :oops:

This will really be fun :exclamati

Garth,
Unfortunately I don't have one of those lovely southern accents, as I am a transplant from California. Louisville is like a comfortable pair of jeans; very easy to live in.
The colleges/universities here focus more on medicine than the arts. You're fortunate to live in a city that academically supports fine art. We do have a vibrant artists' community here but it's still rather the "underground" in this town.
If you ever do workshops, please let me know and I'd love to get you here! This is a great town and I know you'd really enjoy exploring the old stomping grounds of your grandmother!

Had a great time!
 

Hi Garth,

That was a great day yesterday. Not only did we get to meet Molly and see some of her work (aside from her portrait of Nora, she had many wonderful pastels that I viewed on her computer), but also Molly and I had the fun of going to your opening reception! I thought it was a fun and festive event. Your painting looked outstanding! Even better than I remembered it! I stood near it for a while and listened to the comments of other people. There were several exclamations and comments on how amazingly well-painted it was, plus how interesting the composition was. The mother's foot drew several positive remarks. I thought the faculty of the Art Center was very friendly. We hung around with a few artist/teachers who seemed glad to meet you. I'm sure you will be welcomed by the people there.

It was also a treat to get a preview of your new work. It's going to be, and already is, a masterful painting.

Can't wait to see some photos of our antics! Molly? Garth?

Alex

Fun!
 

Here are a couple of my photos from the event. First is Garth standing with his fabulous painting! It is difficult to imaging just how awesome this looks in person. It really gathered quite a crowd while I was there, and deservedly so.

The second photo is one that I snapped of Alex while I was demonstrating my handy dandy remote control for the Nikon D50 camera. The odd angle is because I had the camera hanging from a strap around my neck and clicked the remote without looking through the viewfinder.

It was a wonderful opening, and even more wonderful to have met Garth and Alex. I feel very blessed to live so close to two such talented artists!

:thumbsup: :sunnysmil

Wow! ...And Piety Too!
 

I am overwhelmed! Thanks Alex and Molly!

It was such a treat and honor to have wonderful Forum friends at the opening! You all made my day. Piety Choi and her husband were there also (we've never met before either). Thank you Piety! She recognized me first, from accross the gallery room. We exchanged compliments and she is inviting us to visit her at school (Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, I also studied there). They departed just before you two arrived. Imagine that, ... four Forum dwellers in one place! I am sure we will all be seeing each other more regularly as this fall season approaches (This Friday we all will meet again at Alex's show at American College, nearby). Now you are all so much more real to me! I highly recommend Forum members meeting each other!

Alex and Molly, you have described the opening much better than I could. There are many new faces for me in the faculty make up. There are a lot of familiar old friends teaching there too. The Wayne Art Center has huge expansion plans in the works, and it will be exciting to be there on the cusp of this growth. I also admire the talent and integrity in the faculty, and know it will be rewarding to collaborate and network with them. I know I already have at least one student, and possibly several more.

As you can see from the photo below (taken with my Nikon D100 by fellow faculty member Ava Blitz, thank you!), we are really smiling! Actually we held those smiles the whole time, I think. What a great day!

Yours, truly, :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Garth