In the matter of color: the Hon. James T. Giles

[Garth Herrick]

Here's my most recent portrait, unveiled this past Friday January 6th, in Philadelphia:

This is the Honorable James T. Giles, having completed his term as Chief Judge of the United States District Court, for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. It measures the standard 42 inches by 36 inches, and wil hang permanently in the Ceremonial Courtroom with all preceding Chief Judges of this Federal Court.

As one who has generously mentored and encouraged me as an artist for twenty years, I wanted to paint a fitting portrait for "Jim". "In the Matter of Color" is actually a published book title of the late Honorable A. Leon Higginbotham, Jr., whom Chief Judge Giles arranged for me to first paint for this Court, six years ago.

In his honor, I decided to push color further than I have before in a formal portrait; some red passages being colors that push the very saturation gamut possible in an opaque oil impasto (glazes being another story). In the effort to keep these somewhat daring colors under control, these were very carefully calibrated and tuned in chroma and value. But that's a long and involved story . . .

Anyway, I will be delighted to know what you all think.

Thanks,

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

I will give you a glimpse of the unveiling ceremony. It was quite a day! About two hundred were in attendance, there being a crowd of standing room only near the courtroom entrance. The Chief Judge and his colleages seemed pleased.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Here are some shots of the portrait framed and in the contect of the Ceremonial Courtroom where it will hang:

Garth

[Claudemir Bonfim]

Wowww Garth!
What else can I say? I want to be you when I grow up.

[Julie Deane]

Gorgeous! I'm in total awe!

All that color is wonderful and shines without being overstated. The brushwork is amazing. But what shines most of all is that judge's personality - alert, calm, dignified.

Congratulations, Garth!

[Kimberly Dow]

Garth - Congratulations on yet another masterpiece! Your career and contacts are so impressive - and blows us all away. But - above all that - this is a masterful painting.

[Allan Rahbek]

Hi Garth,

It is always such a pleasure to discover new paintings from your hand.

I am amazed how you have developed the judge theme into bloody reds without loosing the harmony to the former down-to-earth-colors, please tell something more about your new experienced knowledge in the field.

The textures are so rich, from the woolen coat to the silky necktie and flag and from the red leather chair to the human skin, and all things are treated with equal rights.

I feel Wowwww and second all that is already said.

Congratulations with a job well done, Allan

[Garth Herrick]

Dear Chris and Allan,

Thank you both!

Chris: You are the eminent published authority on color in paint, so you can imagine how I appreciate your kind words!

Allan: Arriving at textural effects in a painting can sometimes be no more than the right colors and values juxtaposed together. It may seem like magic when it manifests and comes together in the painting process, but there is really no secret beyond that, and it often arrives by surprise.

Garth

[Jean Kelly]

Thank you Garth, your computation of color is amazing! Great idea, I've never been so organized when I start playing around with my mixtures. I'll try it on my current painting.

Jean

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Jean Kelly

Thank you Garth, your computation of color is amazing! Great idea, I've never been so organized when I start playing around with my mixtures. I'll try it on my current painting.

Jean

Jean,

Just remember that as crazy and analytical as I can get with colors and computers, in the end it's your eyes that count the most in fixing a color. Nothing else comes close! fortunately eyes are what we mostly all have in common.

Regards,

Garth

The existing portrait collection: