George on Montgomery
 

Here's a recent portrait I did of a two-year-old boy. Like most children his age, he was constantly in motion and had little interest in posing. The first day, I followed him around as he played, sketching him and trying to get a feel for typical expressions and gestures. I noticed he played a lot with toy tools and vehicles, and that he liked putting his train set together and taking it apart. Always busy! For the photo shoots I gathered some of his train set and set it up, leaving parts lying about, basically the way it was, but arranging it to form a better composition. His mother teamed up with me in keeping him focused. I took photos on two different days to keep the sessions short and to make sure I was capturing the right feeling and all the details I wanted to paint.

Alex,
he's so alive! He has such a vibrant expression. I like the marble behind him: it makes a beautiful background. And as always, your composition is a pleasure for my eyes.

I'm a big fan of your fresh, painterly technique, Alex - it has so much energy, perfect for this subject. I love the composition, too, and it looks like you had a lot of fun with it. Congratulations!

ooooo - I love this. It is beautifully done and so fresh.

Alex, what is that in the background? Looks like some kind of marble.. like a fireplace surround, but no fireplace?
Whatever it is I like it!

Dear Alex,

You know how lucky I am to have actually seen this in life in your studio! As everyone is expressing, this is truly stunning, fully capturing of the life in this subject, and beautifully designed. You always design your compositions so well. Another favorite! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Garth

Couldn't you just eat him up?

I love it when a portrait brings such a smile to my face. You can't see it, but know it is there.

Janel

Many thanks, Marina, Linda, Kim, Garth, and Janel!

I couldn't help but paint George with lots of life. He was busy with one thing or another the entire time I was there. He also has a sweet personality which I tried to capture. When he smiles he just lights up. His mom wanted me to paint his "little chicklets" (teeth) so I figured out a way to do that without a toothy grin, which I think would have looked too "frozen."

Kim, the marble thing in the background is a fireplace surround. You see them in a lot of Victorian houses around here,but usually with an open grate that originally was meant to burn coal. This one was closed, but had an arched ornate heating register in the center at floor level. I've never seen one like that before. I eliminated the heating vent to simplify the composition for two reasons: 1) I'm not sure its identity would be easily understandable, as it would be partially behind George's sweater, and 2) it would have complicated George's sillhouette.

Thank you all again for the kind words.

What a gorgeous painting, Alex. Fresh, lively, cute as all get out... I am struck by a very lively texture to the surface - am I seeing that right? It just seems so vibrant. Beautifully done. Janet

Ooooh Alex I love this! you've made it look so natural. Love the composition, the expression on his face and how you've included the train set. Scrumptious!

How big is it?

Alex, it looks like he could jump up and leave the painting anytime.
Great work!
With the usual admiration
Ilaria

Thanks, Janet, Terri, and Ilaria, I really appreciate hearing such nice comments from all of you!

Janet, in regards to the surface texture, it's pretty flat with a slight amount of texture, and every now and then a more dimensional stroke. I think I use a lot of paint but once it's on the canvas I wonder where it has all gone. I start thin and get thicker, especially in the lights, but it's definitely not what you'd call bumpy or chunky.

Alex,
Beautiful as always. I like how you have taken the aereal perspective indoor.
Your freckled girl in the sofa is also stunning.
Allan

Thanks, Allan, your perspective is very much appreciated!

Terri--sorry I forgot to mention that the portrait is 38" x 30."

Alexandra--

Nice job! Your stuff is so interesting compositionally....

Thank you, Tom. I deeply admire your portrait of Patrick, so coming from you this means a lot.

Below is a closeup of his hand:

Beautiful Alex! I can even see the light dancing, trying to keep up with him. :D

HI Alex -

Wow - you keep giving us these beautiful paintings, and they seem to pop up here so quickly! How do you do it?

Lovely composition and painting. Just curious - why did you name it Georgia on Montgomery? I pulled up the thread expecting to see someone riding a horse. :sunnysmil

Thanks, Lacey--I like the thought about the dancing light.

Julie, thank you-- I didn't turn them out so fast, really. I tend to wait until I get several paintings completed before getting them professionally photographed. The photographer does so much better than I could ever dream of doing, so I prefer to wait and post when I get really good images. His name is actually "George" and I can't explain the "Montgomery " part on the internet, but I guess you figured out it was not a horse!

Sharon, thank you for the kind words. Impish is definitely an apt description. I think his parents would agree.

Alex, the painting is so full of life. Very nice!

Thanks so much, Enzie!