Posthumous Portrait

[Carol Norton]

Thanks so much, Linda! Your comments reflected just what I hoped would come across in this painting. Posthumous portraits often pose a multitude of challenges, especially when attempting to please clients who knew the subject. In this case, of course, I had the advantage of knowing her, but often the artist does not. I'd be interested to read how others have overcome challenges inherent in these kinds of portraits. I've painted a lot of "dead dogs," and although they are tough too, they certainly not as difficult as people painted from photos supplied by clents.

[Patricia Joyce]

Carol,
Your portrait of your mother is so full of life. I instantly liked it and felt I would have likes her. You infused the image with personality which was sadly missing in the photo. What a gift you have given yourself! It makes me want to pull out pics of my mother and do the same...

I am in a difficult posthumous portrait commission right now. The mother wants one of her 17 mos old who was actually murdered by a babysitter nine years ago. She had two other children she wants done, but wishes to begin with her lost child. The problem is she keeps putting off getting together to look at images. I believe it must be harder for her that she may have imagined and I don't know what else I can do to help her. She is not returning my call at the latest attempt for I feel all I can do is leave her to her own decisions.

Personally I feel that posthumous portraits are the greatest gift we can present a loved one. In many ways I like doing them more than any other portrait. I have only done a couple them, but hope to do more.

[Mischa Milosevic]

Carol, the painting has the expression of freedom. Grate job!

[Carol Norton]

Pat and Mischa, your comments certainly mean a lot to me.

Pat, that mother must be in a big struggle to make that baby "real" again. I had a similar problem with a client over a dog..... yes, a dog that had died. (That one took 6 months to decide to go ahead with the portrait.) I found that I couldn't make any value judgments and learned that grief is grief, no matter who or what it is over. You might drop her a note, letting her know you understand what a difficult experience this is for her and suggest that she start out a little easier on herself by and letting you paint one of her present children first. After you have shown her your beautiful work, she can let you know when she is feeling strong enough to have you paint her lost child. That's pretty powerful and emotional stuff and having an objective portrait of the baby just may make her relive the experience. Just a thought. A handwritten note with one of your portraits on the front, may be just the ticket to get her restarted in a different direction.

Thanks again, Mischa, for the perfect words. You were able to see my intent!

[Peter Dransfield]

Great colours and brushwork and most of all it is full of life and I cannot think of a better tribute than that.

[Carol Norton]

Originally Posted by Peter Dransfield

Great colours and brushwork and most of all it is full of life and I cannot think of a better tribute than that.

Thank you, Peter. Painting her was my tribute to her life. I hope she knew and I hope she agreed.