First Prom

[Clive Fullagar]

One other portrait. This is actually acryllic on paper. It measures 27x15 inches. It is a painting of my daughter about to go to her first prom. I have also just published a website for my paintings. Its at http://web.mac.com/clive_fullagar

It's a little crude at the moment, but I am working on it.

[Allan Rahbek]

Clive,
I like the simplicity of the shapes and values, it makes me think of Manet.
Your beautiful daughter looks happy and excited.

[Clive Fullagar]

Thank you Allan. Actually she was dead anxious - not the best state to sit for a portrait, even though it entailed just taking a few photographs. One of those moments when her stress ages her parents many more years than it does her.

[Christy Talbott]

Hi Clive,

You're daughter's portrait is so very elegant. She may have been anxious, but she looks calm and confident. I like the position of her hands holding the flower... perhaps in the way she's posing her hands it hints a bit of her anxiousness, but it is lovely.

I looked at your website too; you should be quite proud. My favorite besides this portrait of your daughter is the portrait of Maggie. Your landscapes are very impressive as well. Congratulations for it!

Christy

[Clive Fullagar]

Christy,

Thank you for your kind comments on the portrait. Maybe the anxiety was more on the part of a father watching his daughter go off on her first prom.

I do enjoy doing landscapes as a break from portraiture, but the latter is my first love. I find portraiture just that more challenging and innervating, when it goes well, and all the more frustrating when it does not.

I did return your compliment and checked in on your website. Your drawings are exquisite - especially "Mollie's Girl" and "Kate." There is a delicacy about these that is so appropriate for the subject matter.

[Steven Sweeney]

Clive,

Not to dilute this portrait thread, but you encouraged a jump over to your site and I keep going back to "West Over McDowell Creek Road," a masterful execution that immediately put me in mind of the panoramic work of Australian impressionist and national icon, Sir Arthur Streeton.

By pulling that off, you've pretty well made it clear that you're very unlikely to ever face a portrait challenge that will stump you for long. And to quote John Houseman from the old commercial, you did it the old-fashioned way -- you earned it. Those thousands of hours are apparent.

An "About the Artist" section on your site would be a great addition, especially with some comments about training and influences. In the age of Google, no one is entirely enigmatic, but Google can't get into your head (though you may have some professional observations about that, as well.)

A pleasure and inspiration to see these works.

Cheers