Afternoon Reading
 

I just finished this painting. I was inspired by my mother while she was reading the Bible in the sun room when she visited me from my country this summer. I wish her keep this quiet peace during the rest of her life.

Oil on Canvas, 30x40.

Please give me some advices!!!

Hi Piety--
This is just lovely! The colors, the pose --very soothing and peaceful.

Two very small things that bother me a little:
--That little grey disc in the window on the upper left? (Not sure what it is, but it draws my eye over there)
-- The bottom right edge of her skirt appears to be outlined, perhaps that line could be softened/lost a bit just to the right of her shoe, where the skirt and floor seem to be similar values?

Again, Piety, this is beautiful. So nice to see you working in color!

Piety,
I

Piety, I am struck by this intimate portrait of your mom. It is so sweet. It has such gentle appeal and is painted so well.

Yes!
 

This is an exceptional portrait, and a beautiful portrayal of your mother. The serenity and introverted feeling really come across. I get an immediate feeling of your mother's presence. Your choice of colors--green, pink and gold--are quietly harmonious, yet there's a lot of richness in them.

I do agree that the metal disc in the upper left corner is puzzling. I'm not sure what it is, plus its placement is ambiguous because it is touching the top of the chair, yet we have to assume it is on the windowsill. Can you remove it without changing the meaning of the painting?

Alex

Thanks for warm encouragements from all of you!

I didn't realized until Terri said about those bothering things. I was just happy with "finishing" the work. And now I opened my eyes more clearly. I was bothered by them also. So I tried to fix them. I removed the white circle one(that was a souvonier silver color plate) as Alex said, softened the rim of skirt. Let me know it looks better or not.

Thanks again for nice advise.

Piety

Just Beautiful
 

Such a loving touch. Wonderful depiction of your mother. Mine is 92 and because it is difficult to move her into a light that makes a wonderful painting, the last one I did didn't illuminate her beauty. Perhaps I will post it. As much of the sage advice I have received from this Forum has been directed toward using the best photo references possible, I have not posted paintings done from poor photos.

Congratulations on a sensitive and wonderful painting of your mother.

Carol Norton

That is just lovely.

Changes
 

I really like the changes, Piety. They enhance the concept of the painting even more, if that is possible!

Carol, Kim and Alex, thanks for all of your warm words and responses! It's great to hear that.

I'm glad that removing of white plate was not hurting painting much.

Piety

Piety... Even lovelier! I keep coming back to admire this.

Oh my, Piety!

This is such a warm, exceptional, and touching portrait and tribute to your mother. This is a beautiful, wonderful composition; and so peaceful. It recalls for me memories of my grandmother finding quiet solace cradleling a limp bible on her lap, deep in reflection. She represented to me, a fragile bridge to a time and way of life forever removed from mine. As such, this portrait, more than being an intimate portrait of your mother, resonates as an evocation familiar to the wider human experience and continuum.

Can I come over and see this?

Garth

How wonderful to hear that my painting recalls some beautiful memory of precious families!

My son asked, "why grandma's portraits look better than the others?" This is second portraits of my mom (The first one was just head of my mom which I posted when I introduced me to the Forum). My son thought those two of grandma's portraits are the best among the other portraits. I replied, "May be...because she is my mom!"

Thank you, Terri and Garth.

P.S. Garth, I'm going to bring it to school tomorrow or during next week. You can come to PAFA and see it and the others.

Piety

This is lovely Piety, and also an inspiration. Thanks for posting it.

Janet

Hi Piety -

Beautiful portrait! Congratulations. It has a wonderful sense of humanity - quietness, reverence, the beauty and wisdom of age.

Janet and Jullie, thank you so much for your wonderful words!

All the encouragements and wise comments lead me into confidence and improving on my work.

Sincerely, Piety

Another beautiful painting, Piety. I remember your mom from the award ceremony at GCC. I can't remember what we won, but I remember your mother! Great job. Congratulations.

Piety,

I find this very beautiful.
Firstly, it sings of your love for your Mother.
second - it is beautifully done.
Bravo.!

Piety,
Just adding my compliments to you for this lovely work. I would have a terrible time deciding where to hang it because it would add such warmth to every room!

Hi, guys!

Thank you for your wonderful compliments. Those are encouraging me so much.

Kim, you have a nice memory. Thank you for your remembering my mother. I found Heidi also lives in AZ. (I'd lived in Glendale, AZ for 6 years. Kim was a my classmate.)

Piety

This is a lovely and warm painting -- it reminds me of my grandmother too!

What a lovely painting!

I just saw this today in person and it is even more lovely. In fact all the paintings in Piety's studio are inspiring.

Piety, thanks for the tour! I really enjoyed lunch, too.

Alex

The portraiture is just wonderful, Piety, but what impresses me even more is the variety of textures, each so specifically rendered and brought to life, the shawl, the wood of the chair, the dress, the book covers, the table, everything. It puts me in mind of some of the Dutch Masters.

John C.

Alex, thank you for coming to my studio. It was wonderful time with you, but was too short!

John, thank you for your nice compliments!

Piety