Mrs. Duke
 

I painted this portrait of my daughter's fifth grade teacher and unveiled it at the school's artwalk last week. It was so much fun! Our elementary schools don't have art teachers, so it is left up to volunteer parents to teach the kids about art. We have an artwalk every year to show off what the kids worked on during the year. Mrs. Duke is a beautiful young woman and very unusual in her choice of classroom pets. She loved the portrait. It was so rewarding to hear the oohs and ahhs when we unveiled it.

Dear Linda,

So beautiful and intriguing!

I have had the pleasure of seeing this in person, and it is a very commanding piece.

Linda, this is an unusual idea. She looks very sure of herself--quite able to manage a large reptile! I am so glad the unveiling went well.

Thank you so much. I am really pleased with this piece and feel like I'm going in the right direction. This was painted on masonite. After taking a workshop from David Kassan last year, I feel much more comfortable and able to handle painting on this smooth surface. At the conference, two or three of the demonstrators talked about exaggerating and then cutting back. I did that with the color in this piece as there was a lot of color on her face from the setting sun. I really like the effect.

Hi Linda,

I just wanted to compliment you, this is a beautiful painting. I love how the sunset infuses her skin. It creates a vibration throughout the painting and is a beautiful reflection of her personality.
The snakes are just cool. :)

Lovely and strong painting. Iiked everything about it.

LOL Yes, anyone who can manage a class of fifth graders can definitely manage a large reptile :cool:

She left her boa at home. She didn't think it would get along with the pythons. I think handling a large reptile would be easy, compared to a class of 5th graders - though I must say, it's a great group of kids. I think she handles both quite well.

Someone in our portrait group mentioned that if she had just raised one eyebrow, the painting would have a whole new meaning. :?

I have described this painting to a few people who are instantly turned off by the idea of snakes. I'm glad someone thinks they're cool. :)

Yes, very unusual indeed, but that's what makes it great! It leaves the viewer thinking, which is what a good portrait should do. I, for one, love the incorporation of the snake!