Becca and Si on the Couch

Alexandra Tyng · 06-19-2005, 12:40 PM

Here's a portrait I did of my daughter last summer. Details are included.

Allan Rahbek · 06-19-2005, 03:06 PM

Alexandra,

I like your painting very much. The colors, values, edges and models are beautiful.

Hope that you will participate a lot in this forum.

Best wishes and welcome, Allan

Mary Sparrow · 06-20-2005, 07:27 AM

Alexandra, I love this painting, everything about it. It reminds me of being young and visiting my grandmother on Sunday afternoons.

Alexandra Tyng · 06-20-2005, 08:20 AM

I was trying to convey the limp, no-energy feeling of a hot, humid day. My daughter was not pleased that I was painting her with no makeup and her hair messy (not her idea of a portrait) but now she has begun to appreciate it more. Si, our cat, seems to know how to place himself in the middle of the action, so he finds his way into many of my compositions.

Recently I've been trying to concentrate on some portraits of my family and friends just so I have the freedom to try placing the figure in space in different ways, and basically just experimenting. It has really helped my commissioned work. So thanks for the encouragement!

Alex

Terri Ficenec · 06-20-2005, 09:33 AM

Hi Alex,

This painting has a wonderful, warm lazy feel to it. The warm reds, the sleeping cat, the way the girl's curled up on the couch -- and really nice color harmony, too.

Alexandra Tyng · 06-23-2005, 08:53 AM

Terri,

Thanks! I definitely prefer warm colors, so they find their way into many of my paintings.

Since posting this I've been tweaking the painting a little, as a result of a critique that Nelson Shanks gave me. I had heard he could be really hard on people, but he was very positive. It was just like one of my artist friends coming over and pointing out little things that could be impoved upon. That always happens just when I think I've finished. So when I get the images I will post the "new and improved" version!

Alex

Linda Nelson · 02-05-2006, 11:43 AM

Excellent work of art. I love that it's more than just a portrait - it's compostion - I especially love the curved back of the sofa - really make it an engaging peice to look at. I can see this being enjoyable to stare at over a cup of coffee years.

Congratulations!
Linda

Rob Sullivan · 02-05-2006, 02:42 PM

Can you use "casual elegance" to describe a painting? OK, I just did. Your "voice" rings true in this one, Alexandra.

Obviously, this piece resonates with many people, hence your acceptance into such a prestigious show. Well-deserved! Big applause and congratulations!

Alexandra Tyng · 02-05-2006, 11:33 PM

Thank you both!

Linda, when you say it is "more than just a portrait," it reminds me of your Brother and Sister that was resurrected in Unveilings, and the somewhat hazy line between portraiture and figurative work, or landscape. It's fun to do a little more than a "regular" portrait whenever possible.

Rob, I like that "casual elegance." You have made my day!