Hon. William M. Marutani

[Garth Herrick]

Here is a recent portrait that will be formally unveiled in City Hall in Philadelphia, this Monday, June 7th, 2004. It was commissioned by the Asian American Bar Association of the Delaware Valley to honor the first Pennsylvania judge of Asian American descent. Fortunately, this judge is still alive and with us. I hope to see him again at the unveiling. His identity:

William M. Marutani

Former Judge, Court of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania
Member, Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians

The portrait is oil on linen, and is 36 inches by 30 inches in size.

It has been a real treat to get to know this soft-spoken and honorable gentleman who prefers me to call him simply "Bill". He has had quite an interesting life. Born in Washington State, he and his family were among those numerous U.S. civilians of Japanese descent who were wrongfully interned and relocated during World War II. In 1946, after being released, he visited a cousin who was a victim of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan. I was spellbound by his vivid recounting of the atrocities and after-effects of the nuclear annihilation of a once great city. He described to me the true meaning of a "Silent Spring". There was not a single bird alive to sing for the dead for a hundred or so miles. I was moved by the gravity of his message, and in all fairness we mostly talked about happier moments in life, and especially what it is to be an American and to be proud of it.

I tried to get a sense of his wisdom and intellect to shine through in the portrait. He willingly sat for me to paint him from life on several occasions. I also worked with some photographic references derived from my digital camera. I took the liberty of fitting him into his judicial robe in the painting. He originally wore a suit of traditional Japanese design and textile which was very appealing, but we decided it was more important to make him appear more as a judge. The positive experience of painting this great man was worth all the small challenges and adjustments that were presented along the way.

Garth

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Garth, I am in awe, great charismatic portrait.
Not only the features are beautifully painted, but the composition is monumental. I love the colour of the background, similar to the colour of the flesh. The colour scheme is simple and very striking.
Ilaria

[Linda Brandon]

Garth, this is another outstanding portrait. I love the hard edge of the black robe against that pale warm value. And thanks for including those closeups; interlaced fingers can be a nightmare, but I can't remember ever seeing anything better than this.

[Michele Rushworth]

One word comes to mind: Wow.

[Mike Dodson]

Garth,

I really love this painting. The first thing that caught my eye is the cast shadows on the face, particularly the one to our left of his nose and around the glasses, it has a very natural look. Also, great job on the hands. This is my favorite of yours.

[Patricia Joyce]

I think I can see him breathing!! This is drawing me back to take another look. The color is so realistic. Beautiful hands. Some day, might I approach such beautiful work in my own paintings???!!

[Jimmie Arroyo]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang, that has to be one of the best pair of hands I've seen painted.

[Allan Rahbek]

Garth

You have done it again. But I think that with this judge you have managed to express more of his personality because you have actually met him.

His hands seems to express the jin yang energy, with the right hand fingers holding tight and the lefts opening. Also his face is full of energy, especially his mouth.

I guess that the color choice is to harmonize with your other portraits in that room. If it is the same location?

The main contrast of the two colors with the blue/black and several different warm ochers works well. Is this some sort of favorite choice of color?

Allan

[Elizabeth Schott]

I love the color scheme! The painting as usual is rendered great!

[Chris Saper]

Garth,

Wonderful work. I can feel the warmth of the light on his face.

You have handled the both the form shadows and the cast shadows so masterfully. Their edges and transitions are just excellent.