Hon. Jay C. Waldman, 1944 - 2003
 

Hon. Jay C. Waldman, 1944 - 2003
Oil on linen, 42 by 36 inches.

This portrait of the late Judge Waldman, will be unveiled tomorrow (May 7, 2004), at the Federal District Court in Philadelphia. It was decided to have him represented in his favorite pinstripe suit, rather than in his traditional robe. In the background are his two favorite photographs: F. D. R. with Churchhill, and Judge Waldman with Pennsylvania's Governor Thornburgh, in front of a Chinese carved stone elephant near Beijing.

Dear Garth:

Well, it's the 7th already on this side of the Atlantic and there's no doubt in my mind your unveiling will be a great success today. It's a strong portrait and I'm sure the family of Judge Waldman will be very pleased. Expect a lot of tears and hugs.

Dear Scott:

Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes. The Courthouse Jeep is coming by in a few moments to pick up and deliver the portrait. I reworked the elephant photo overnight so maybe this portrait should be in the Unveilings in Progress section!

Garth

A Courthouse Unveiling: Famous Governors, Senators and Mayors.
 

Well the splendor of the unveiling was beyond my wildest imagination:

180 mostly judges, law clerks and interns were peppered with other renowned dignitaries, when the velvet veil was removed to the gasping audience. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Senator Arlen Specter, and former Governor Dick Thornburgh gave me more praise overload than I could realistically handle. I did my best to return an affirmative thank you to each. I had no idea they were on the guest list. Senator Specter even chatted on about the "Single Bullet Theory", just 2 feet from my face at the reception which followed the ceremony. For me this event was surreal!

There were a few tears shed too. It is amazing how a portrait by someone who never met the subject in life can have such a powerful effect on those who knew Judge Waldman. It felt strange to me, because of all those present I was the only one who never knew the Judge in life, and yet everyone spoke of being moved by the way he was brought back to life in the painting. Wow, to the right audience, sometimes a portrait is invested with more power than the artist ever intends or imagines.

I should probably just shut-up with all my rambling, about the evening, but suffice to say, I was a bit overwhelmed by the level of the emotional feedback.

Garth

Sounds like a WONDERFUL experience. You should be so proud of yourself Garth, you deserve the praise.

Congratulations Garth! That's really awesome!

Dear Mary and Holly:

Thanks so much. I don't feel any different, and I hope all the praise doesn't go to much to my head. In hind sight I realize my account of the unveiling was rather boastful, for which I apologize. My wonder at the surreal nature of the occasion was what I wanted to convey.

Garth

Not at all Garth. I enjoyed hearing about your experience. I can only imagine how overwhelming and humbling it would be. You can fall back on the memory whenever you're having a difficult painting day.

Cheers,

Holly

Hi Garth,

Don

Hi Allan,

Thanks! Actually the colors (especially the blues) did not reproduce right in the top image, but are better in the detail. I photographed them outdoors, I believe the top one was in the shade while the detail was in direct sun. I need to make a corrected digital image file because I am getting requests for prints.

Garth