Sarah on the Beach

Virginia Branch · 04-09-2003, 05:12 PM

This is an 8 x 10 in pastel of my daughter on the beach last summer. It was completed several months ago and is already in a frame. The frame made all the difference on this one.

Any comments/critique welcome.
Thanks.

Virginia Branch · 04-09-2003, 05:15 PM

It is a small painting and hard to see details so here is a close-up.

Steven Sweeney · 04-11-2003, 02:33 AM

Virginia,

This is a bit odd, but the first time I looked at this post, the first image didn

Virginia Branch · 04-11-2003, 09:30 AM

I always enjoy reading your comments! It does make a difference once you've cropped it. I was concerned about her face being diminished by the background.

This was done from a photo taken last year and she has grown so much since then. She is 8 now and tall for her age. She is at a cute age but I am not looking forward to the teenage years. Maybe it won't be so bad?!?

We will go to the beach again this summer, so I'll see what paintings I can get from that trip.

Thanks again for taking your time to comment. Are you working on anything these days?

Steven Sweeney · 04-11-2003, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Are you working on anything these days?

Self-preservation, mostly, as I'm over here in SARS territory.

Actually, though I haven't been able to pursue it vigorously, owing to a pending overseas move, I'm working on a portrait of "my" Sarah. I'm "losing" most of my art materials next week to the movers, and won't rejoin them until perhaps late July, so I'm beginning to feel a little anxiety about that.

Since I'm back, I might mention that I did a small painting very much like yours, with Sarah in almost the exact environment -- even the same slant of beach -- as you chose. She was turned away, though, and looking down at something -- seashells, perhaps. I'd done the painting as an experiment in rapid execution. Sarah saw it shortly afterwards, not having known I was doing it, and said, "Hey! That's ME!" That was my affirmation that I'd gotten the job done. And to tell you the truth, I don't know where that painting is right now. In a warehouse somewhere, awaiting the depletion of my wanderlust.

Virginia Branch · 04-11-2003, 10:36 AM

I thought about you in SARS territory. They think they might have a new case in Florida now.

Are you moving back to the States? Hopefully, your 'Sarah on the Beach' painting will show up! How old is your daughter now?

Linda Brandon · 04-11-2003, 10:47 AM

Hi there, Virginia,

This is a fresh, charming painting with a lot of lively color notes, especially in the shadows. But how on earth do you manage to work so small?

I can never manage to paint a beach scene without anguishing over where the horizon line should run. I like how you've handled it.

Is it safe to comment that you seem looser in your own work than in your commissioned pieces?

Best wishes,

Linda

Virginia Branch · 04-11-2003, 01:41 PM

Thanks, Linda. Good to hear from you! You are probably right...I am very realistic with my commissioned pieces and loosen-up with my own work.

How is your painting going? Are you staying busy with commissions?