A doctor and her dog

Clive Fullagar · 11-10-2005, 10:26 PM

This is a portrait that I recently completed of a friend of mine. She is a very successful doctor in the state. Prior to the sitting I had requested that she choose some objects that she feels are important in defining who she is. She chose some fresh cut flowers (she is an avid gardener), a mortar and pestle and stethoscope (symbols of her profession), a cookbook (she likes to read and cook) and her dog. She also had complete say in what she wore. My challenge was to arrange everything into a composition that worked. I really like the intensity of the painting (she is a very intense person) - it almost makes you uncomfortable being in the same room as them - especially that dog. I am really interested in the whole notion of the viewer/artists relationship with the sitter and the space between the picture and you. The picture is 24 x 30. I was really pleased with how it turned out - and so, by the way, was she.

Clive Fullagar · 11-10-2005, 10:28 PM

Here is a close-up of her face.

Clive Fullagar · 11-10-2005, 10:31 PM

Here is a detail of the dog and her hands.

Clive Fullagar · 11-10-2005, 10:33 PM

Finally, a detail of the tabletop.

Alexandra Tyng · 11-11-2005, 09:40 AM

Hi Clive,

What a great portrait! I love it! My eye goes right to her face (what an expression! You just know it's characteristic of her) and then to the dog's face, which has the same lifted head. I think, "her dog is just like her!"

I also love the way you've put together the symbols of the many aspects of her life to create a deceptively simple still life, and the way you have left empty space. This is a beautifully designed, expressive portrait. I hope she likes it, too.

Alex

Clive Fullagar · 11-14-2005, 09:58 PM

Thank you Alex for those appreciative comments. Actually I tend to put a lot of thought and effort into composition (perhaps at times a little too much). The essence of portraiture is the face and as many visual pathways as possible should lead there. In this instance the flowers, the pestle, the back of the chair and her arm are all visual signposts that point to her face. My other challenge in this portrait (as it is in any painting that has more than one subject) was to connect the dog and the owner. Having her in physical contact with the dog would have put a strain on her pose, and having them looking at each other would have been a little forced. So I decided to have them look at the same object, namely you the viewer. I was also helped in that the dog and her owner had remarkably similar coloring in their eyes and hair, so there was an additional visual connection between the two.

Linda Brandon · 11-14-2005, 10:04 PM

I just spotted this, Clive, and I think this is such an arresting and powerful painting - wow! There's so much to like about it - the color harmony, her expression, the composition - it's all so memorable. This is the kind of painting that wins awards, hint hint.

You haven't posted in a long time and now I see what you've been up to - getting better than ever. Congratulations on this strong piece!

By the way, your flowers here remind me of Paul Seaton ,a wonderful floral and still life artist.

Clive Fullagar · 11-14-2005, 11:27 PM

Thank you Linda. I am truly honored by such compliments from such a source. I must admit that my observation and reading the critiques that are posted on this forum have helped me in developing my own style and appreciation of this most particular of art forms. I do not think that I am peculiar in my own artistic development. I have seen so many painters on this forum develop over the years that I have been a member to become very accomplished artists. I think that it is testimony to the notion that the more you paint the better you become.

Lacey Lewis · 11-15-2005, 09:39 AM

Hi, neighbor!

This is just full of so much character, I do feel like I've gotten to know this person a little. I agree that this is competition material, just warn me where you enter this one so that I can decide if it's worth the entry fee to go up against you!

I'd love to see something of yours in person. Let me know if there are any galleries nearby to me that have your work.

Clive Fullagar · 11-15-2005, 11:03 AM

Lacey,

Thanks for the interest and the kind words. Actually I am working toward a figurative exhibition here at the Strecker-Nelson Gallery in June 2006. I will probably be exhibiting some of the paintings that I have just posted on the forum, including the portrait of the good doctor and her dog. By the way, the Strecker-Nelson is a wonderful art gallery and well worth the drive from Kansas CIty.