Governor of Nevada, Kenny C. Guinn
 

I delivered this portrait a couple of days ago in Nevada. The official unveiling will be in a few months. This is a portrait of the former governor, who just retired in January, not the one currently in office.

Congratulations Michele!!!

This is such a cleanly composed and dignified portrait. This is your second Governor's portrait commission, isn't it? I bet there will be more to come. I will wait for the report of the upcoming unveiling, on the edge of my seat. This is impressive. Kudos to your rising success! Nevada was right to commission you.

Garth

Oh wow! What a museum quality portrait, Michele. Your drawing is so accurate, and it's quite touching to see how the hands are clasped in a slightly nervous way (not your handling of the paint, I mean, but the sitter's attitude). It gives him a humanness, a slight vulnerability, which makes his solidity and strength all the more powerful.

Michele, this is such an impressive painting in so many ways - I love how you have managed all the textures in this painting and the calm strength you've imparted to this man. The slightly leaning pose gives a wonderful flow to the lines here. As always, your technical skill is beyond reproach. Big congratulations to you, my friend!

Wow - beautifully done, Michelle! To me it has such a "feel" - as in tactile quality. Like I could reach out and touch exactly what my eyes are seeing.

Michele, WOW! All this time I've been imagining what this portrait must look like, and I had some hazy idea, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality. It's very exciting to see it. One thing I noticed immediately: the proportions of the canvas are elegant.

It's very interesting how his relaxed leaning pose complements certain features that are rather tense (hands, mouth, jaw). You seem to have pared down his appearance, and maybe even his character, to a few important essentials. Everything that is there tells the viewer something important. His eyes tell you he doesn't miss much. The indentation at the corner of his mouth and cheeks indicate a sense of humor. (At least this is how I'm reading it!)

I also love the way that the sweeping line of the chair is strong enough to continue the curve of his posture down through the whole bottom third of the painting,

Very beautiful, Michele.

I've been anticipating this painting knowing that you've been knee deep in it for some time. I think you must be very proud.

It made my job easier that he's a good looking man. The Chief of Staff made the comment that he looks like someone that "Central Casting" would send over, if you were making a movie and wanted a guy who looked like the quintessential "Governor" character.

The relaxed pose is pure "Kenny" (as he likes to be called). He does have a calm strength, and is quite an easy going person.

Fantastic...congratulations on a terrific commission and result.

--TE

(Great hands!)

Beautiful, Michele!

Brilliant
 

This is an absolutely brilliant portrait Michelle. Very well done.

I love the way you have captured that intense gaze and strong character. I am very happy for you that all your hard work as resulted in such stunning work.Congratulations!

Michele,

I just had to share this with you. Last night on the news I saw a short clip and immediatlly recognized the govenor based on your painting. It was like: "Hey, I know who this is!" with immediate realization: " that's the governor who Michelle painted!"

Pretty cool!

He's supporting Mitt Romney in his presidential campaign and there was a big event in Nevada this week. Governor Guinn has "retired" from many different careers in the past: high school P.E. teacher, school board head, President of the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, bank president, utilities company president, and most recently, Governor.

He told me he was really going to retire this time but now he's on the board of a bank again and is busy with the presidential campaign. We joked that he's really not the type of guy to sit by the pool or spend his days golfing. He's a very capable administrator and is well thought of by the people in his state, so he's always tapped to help with various important causes. It was a great honor to get to know him.

Michele, what a confident work ! I like that the colour, all so simply played between the warms and the cool note of the shirt and the tie. The image is solid and tridimensional despite the almost flat black of the suit.
Beautiful
Ilaria

Thanks!

The suit actually does have some three dimensionality to it. I find it difficult to photograph portraits with black suits (especially as the lower part of the figure disappears into the shadows). A correct exposure for the face usually means all the carefully painted dark greys just drop to black in the photo.

Michele, this is some portrait in many respects. I especially like your use and control of value which brings the viewers eye back to the face. Real nice depth and sense of space as well. You kept this simple and to the point and as a result a masterfully executive portrait.

The Governor specifically asked that there not be a lot of "stuff" in the background. I think it's a simpler and stronger painting because of that.

Michele,
I want to add my praise. The elements and means in this portrait are carefully and efficient taken into use. I love how the necktie emphasizes the eye's color.

Michele, congratulation
I can read seriousness, responsibility and authority in this, very official and very beautiful indeed.

Very impressive, Michele!
Congratulations.

The official unveiling happened a few days ago in the Nevada State Capitol. The first picture shows the former governor, whom I painted, along with the current governor, just after the painting was unveiled. At the start of his speech the current governor said, "We haven't had a good hanging here in a long time!"

The third photo, where the Governor's hand is raised, was taken by Associated Press photographer Cathleen Allison and was the shot that ran in most of the newspapers.

The portrait hangs in the entry hall of the Capitol Building. On the opposite wall hangs a portrait by Daniel Greene of Paul Laxalt who was Governor of Nevada in the 60's and then a long-time Senator.

About a hundred people attended the unveiling including a whole group of TV and newspaper reporters and cameramen. I did three or four interviews and the story was on the news that night and ran in several papers the next day.

The former Governor and First Lady were kind enough to take me out to dinner afterwards. They're great people and I hope we'll stay in touch.

Here's the Paul Laxalt portrait by Daniel Greene which hangs on the opposite wall.

Michele,

It is wonderul to see these phots and hear all about the unveiling. What an exciting event! You are super! Congratulations to you!

Michelle, I am very happy for you! Your success is well deserved and it's great to see that your work receives such excellent reception. Again congratulations!

Dear Michele,

Indeed, you ARE super, and deserving of every accolade for a great and important portrait! Congratulations on such a successful unveiling! The photographs are wonderful; thanks for sharing your experience.

Garth

What great positioning! Congratulations!

Great news, Michele!
I'm very happy to hear that your work receives such a well deserved recognition.
Congratulations!
And thanks for sharing the photos...

Michele--

Nice job!

What terrific photos and publicity! Michele, I am delighted for your fantastic success here - the painting looks grand up there, doesn't it! Huge congratulations on your accomplishments!

Yes- very, very grand! And it has the best natural light too!I am so very happy for you:)

Remember I said:Nevada---True, now this is very true!