Lt. in the NYFD

Patt Legg · 12-28-2002, 09:15 PM

Finished the Memorial portrait of Lt. Crisci and am proceeding to present it to Mrs. Crisci the first of the year. She has not seen it and wanted it that way. I would welcome insight usually -- but frankly since this is not critique -- I must let it go at this time. I feel good about it, well as much as I usually do when I am facing the client. Nervous and stage fright. But I am quite pleased other than the fact that I feel I overworked it due to trying to get the correct skin tones. I have trouble leaving what I put down and overblend, a procedure that I am trying to overcome. So what do ya think? But be gentle please.

Patt Legg · 12-28-2002, 09:21 PM

Oh, and it is a 24" x 20" oil and also not as yellow as it appears. I also just noticed splotches around his mouth area. Not in the painting -- must have been in my scanner as I have to scan my photos. Working on getting a digital camera.

Elizabeth Schott · 02-20-2003, 10:22 AM

Patt, just a warning the ditigal camera has not solved all my problems, but has certainly made them easier!

Mrs. Crisci most have been overjoyed with your portrait. From what I understand, besides the emotion working posthumous is very difficult.

Michele Rushworth · 02-26-2003, 08:02 PM

Hi Pat,

It's so nice to see another one of the 9/11 Portrait Project paintings come to completion. A very warm and expressive portrait!

Can you tell me what firefighter company he was in? He looks familiar.

Don't worry about presenting it to the family. I'm sure they'll love it.

Patt Legg · 02-26-2003, 10:31 PM

Thank you Beth, for your encouraging words and I sure think that a digital will be next "to buy" on my list.

Michele, Lt. John Crisci was Co. 1, Squad 288 of the Hazardous Material Co. and was co-founder of the Haz-Mat Co. He lived on Long Island. He had worked a 24 hr. shift and was on his way home from work when he heard the call and went to the site. He had made it to the 48th floor at the South Tower.

Oh so sad still and I will say this much about doing this portrait. I met one of the most wonderful ladies ever. She was so gracious, caring, lovely and showed so much concern for everyone around her - even through her 2 1/2 day stay here in our town for the occasion of Presentation. This was her sole choice as I had told her that I would bring the painting to her. She wouldn't hear of that as she claimed she wanted to meet the me and my family and to thank me personally, and in any other way to promote MY WORK. I had tried to prepare her as my town is very small and assured her that it would not be too stressful as she had gone to other functions out-of-state with many wives.

From the moment I picked her up at the airport, we felt a genuine connection as we embraced for the first time. She expressed it often while she was here. We laughed, talked , shared, cried. Wow - what an experience. The small, intimate function was about 60 people, the Mayor (who presented her the key to the city, and I knew nothing of this prior) and many friends, family and local business people. The Inn where I reserved a room for her gave it from their hearts with no charge, prepared and served the reception food and then as 6 of us, Rae (widow), her sister who traveled with her, myself and my 2 daughters +one friend of mine, sat around a cozy fire place, the Inn served us a glass of wine.

You are right, her first comment as I unveiled the portrait was "Oh , you so captured the kindness in his eyes" that is John.

So, thanks you to all who got this all together and sent it out there. I, for one, got more out of painting this great man and meeting his gracious wife than any I have ever been connected with. I applaud you for permitting me to be a small part of this.

Patt Legg · 02-26-2003, 10:36 PM

One last note: I had been placed with one other family first and it did not come about. I later learned that Raffaella also was given an artist and they could never make contact either. We were then connected to each other and the phone calls began. We both agreed it was meant to happen this way.

Enzie Shahmiri · 02-26-2003, 11:36 PM

Patt,

What a challenging commission! Frankly, I am at a loss for words after reading your post. I just wanted you to know that I find it wonderful that you have committed your time and effort to give joy to someone who has experienced great, senseless loss.

Jean Kelly · 02-27-2003, 12:43 AM

Hi Patt, this post has made me get all teary. I'm glad you got to be a part of this, sounds like the right match was made.

Jean

Michele Rushworth · 02-27-2003, 12:59 AM

Thanks for sharing that story, Patt. My meeting with the widow of firefighter Doug Oelschlager was also quite emotionally powerful. We became good friends after meeting for the first time when the portrait I painted for her was presented. An unforgettable experience.