Challenging commission, completed!!

Monique McFarland · 02-09-2009, 11:06 PM

Here is a commission that has been THE biggest challenge i've EVER faced in my painting life!! Below you will see the original, untouched 20 yr old snapshot that a mother wanted me to paint of her now married sons. I spent a while photoshopping it (the next photo) to help expressions, fix spots, etc, BESIDES the fact she wanted them with bare feet (ask how I pulled THAT one off)....we changed the color of the clothing...and ultimately, after painting in the background as it was in the photo...I completely painting out the background and started over from scratch and did this one out of my head....I hope it works better because the one in the photo may work in the photo, but it did NOT work in this painting.

I delivered the painting today and...well...the response was very humbling. imagine an empty nester mom re-living her childrens' pure-at-heart toddler days...now captured for the rest of her life, on her living room wall....(well, that's what she kept saying to me...the most HUMBLING unveiling I've had to date)

Monique McFarland · 02-09-2009, 11:07 PM

here are a few more photos...

Julie Deane · 02-09-2009, 11:40 PM

Monique,

I'm assuming that's their mom standing protectively and proudly by her new painting? That's a lovely photo statement about the meaning this portrait of her boys has to her.

Congratulations!

Monique McFarland · 02-10-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

Monique,

I'm assuming that's their mom standing protectively and proudly by her new painting? That's a lovely photo statement about the meaning this portrait of her boys has to her.

Congratulations!

Yes, she was very proud...and says it means more to her than I will ever know. Yesterday's experience with her was amazing and makes every drop of frustration I went through with this painting worth every single minute!

Julie Deane · 02-10-2009, 10:44 PM

You did a lot with a poor reference photo. It's a great feeling, isn't it, when the work is done and the family is happy?

Monique McFarland · 02-17-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie Deane

You did a lot with a poor reference photo. It's a great feeling, isn't it, when the work is done and the family is happy?

The best in the world! I wish I could have had the "reveal" on video tape, just so I could really listen to what all she was saying...it was rather overwhelming to me! She was bubbling over with joy....this painting something she had wanted for many many years. She seems sincerely pleased.