Golden Girl

[Molly Sherrick Phifer]

This is a painting of my step-daughter, Kim, as she looked when she recently graduated from the fifth grade. She had her hair crimped that day and I caught her standing beside the south-facing living room window, which has gold colored shears. I love how the filtered sunlight lit up her hair and face.

I can't get over how someone who is eleven years old can look so young and so mature at the same time!

Oil on Realgesso board, 11 x 14 (head is 6 inches)

Thanks for looking.

[Marcus Lim]

Originally Posted by Molly Sherrick Phifer

I can't get over how someone who is eleven years old can look so young and so mature at the same time!

It goes to show the sensitivity of the painter, to capture the subject's spirit in the painting. I guess your step-daughter has an old soul...

Another thing i like about the painting is the Monet-ness of the background. Keep up the good work Molly.

[Molly Sherrick Phifer]

Thanks, Marcus,

Before I started the portrait, I went about toning the board, but my brush was so dry it made these prominent streaks. After looking at them, I thought I would incorporate that into the background. I just manipulated the big shapes to be consistent with the windows/light sources in the rooms.

A happy accident, as they say.

[Linda Brandon]

Molly, I am admiring the edges on this painting - soft, gentle and lively. How did you like working on the Realgesso board?

Congratulations on an engaging portrait!

[Molly Sherrick Phifer]

Hi Linda!

I really love working on the Realgesso board. It has such a smooth surface, but it really grabs the paints in a way I wouldn't have guessed. I suppose I had thought it would have been more slippery. Happily, it has just the right amount of "grab" for me. I had bought several panels to try out nearly a year ago, but have been using linen since then. I dusted this one off last week to try it out.

Thank you, Linda!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Molly, sorry I missed this. It's lovely! You have a real gift (as I witnessed today) of capturing this little something that is the essence of the person's features, the subtle thing that brings them to life. I have no doubt you have done this here, because your stepdaughter is so alive and real.

[Molly Sherrick Phifer]

Thank you Alex! I so appreciate you taking a peek at this.

I realized after I looked at the post again, that I had in fact fixed something wrong with the mouth since I posted it, and so uploaded a new photo. I hope it still qualifies as a portrait even though the mouth is fixed!

[Margaret Ferguson]

I really like the warmth of the painting. Her expression is lovely

[Heidi Maiers]

Lovely Molly. The scarlet red lips and golden necklace are a nice touch. Absolutely convincing portrayal of her soft crimped hairdo.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Molly, you are a brave one to tackle crimped hair! Nice job!