Refugees

Jean Kelly · 10-01-2002, 05:33 PM

Not exactly a portrait, but faces none the less. I found this picture in the newspaper back in 1991, of people in Bangladesh fleeing an approaching cyclone. It's been tacked to my bulletin board ever since. I finally painted it a few months ago. Feel free to make comments or critique. I've read a number of posts on TEETH and decided to post this before I change her piano teeth and after I fix them. The actual photo is so faded that I will have to make them up, but am positive that I can improve her mouth.

Jean Kelly · 10-01-2002, 05:34 PM

Closer.

Jean Kelly · 10-03-2002, 04:17 PM

This is the first update. I changed her mouth and teeth quite a bit. Still need to do some work on teeth. Unfortunately, this woman does have piano teeth. I also repositioned her eyes, and added cooler tones to shadows. I realize that this is an "uncomfortable" picture, but it is important to me. It has deeper meaning to me than just an exercise in faces. Any help will be appreciated. The newspaper photo is not clear at all, and is 11 years old!! These people remind me of how fortunate I am, and to give unselfishly to others. All the faces are universal, one looks East Indian, one Hungarian, one an Iowa farmer, the mother could be anyone of us with a newborn. I love this picture.

Jean Kelly · 10-03-2002, 04:18 PM

The whole thing.

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-03-2002, 09:24 PM

What an ambitious painting - I am glad you decided to work on it. The image is powerful, but I would change a few things:

I would take out the head with the green head covering or move her up so her face can be seen. Who is carrying the container, whose hand is sticking out next to the girl in white? Clarify these elements or take them out. If they don't serve a purpose, they become only distracting from the overall feel of the event you are portraying.

Also, three of the figures seem to be smiling or content looking (old woman in back, old man in white T and young girl in center). Refugees worry about the uncertainties that await them and by showing some very worried and others content it sends a mixed message.

I hope I won't upset you with my critique, but I really think this could be even more powerful.

Jean Kelly · 10-04-2002, 01:02 PM

Hi Enzie,

No I'm not upset by your reply, I've asked for help and I appreciate your response.

First: regarding the expressions, one thing hit me very powerfully when I first cut out the picture. The older woman and the man in white seemed to be resigned to moving yet again. Like they had experienced this many times before.

In reviewing my painting, they do come across as slightly smiling instead of sad and resigned. I will be changing that--thank you for the good eye.

The little girl in white IS smiling! I felt that she was caught up in the excitement of running without fully understanding the situation. I'll be working on her face more but am not going to be changing the expression because I like the enigma (the innocence of childhood).

I'm still thinking on the head, hand, and container. Are there any suggestions on how to resolve the conflict? I also believe that I've made the mother too "pretty", so will be working on that.

Again, thanks Enzie, this painting is for me, not a client, and I wish to make a statement with it. It's purpose is not to make people feel good, but to open eyes to the pain in the world.

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-04-2002, 08:00 PM

Hi Jean!

Taking out the hand should be easy, it is in line with the man's pants. I played around on Photoshop and realized that the jar is way too big, the only way to resolve this somewhat is by having the woman in the yellow carry it on her back (see refugee 1). Also the old man is either too large or he is riding on something. I took the liberty of putting him on a mule/horse (refugees 2. I know thi swould mean more changes than you might want to deal with, but as I said I had fun on Photoshop and thought I give you some ideas.

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-04-2002, 08:01 PM

Here is Refugee #2

Jean Kelly · 10-16-2002, 01:14 PM

Hi, Enzie.

I apologize for not getting back to this sooner. I took a large window treatment job, which will pay for my oil paint investment and anything else I may need. I've been back to read only and haven't worked on painting at all. I should be back to serious work in a week, and am looking forward to it. I've begun to hate sewing! Glad you had fun playing with the image.

Enzie Shahmiri · 10-16-2002, 01:23 PM

Hi, Jean.

Great to hear from you, I was starting to think I scared you away. I know how you feel - everyday chores seem to get in the way and rob us of prescious painting time!

I have been working and I posted the progress under composition. Take a look and let me know what you think on how this could be improved.