A Connecticut Girl: Laura at Thirteen

[Josef Sy]

Garth, this is gorgeous. One of your masterpieces!

[Garth Herrick]

Thanks Josef,

You have made my day!

Garth

[Jean Kelly]

Garth,

I particularly like your choice of clothing with an almost classic pose, this portrait is both timeless and contemporary!

Jean

[Cindy Procious]

Garth, I'd like to add my compliments to the queue. You have definitely captured the essence of a 13 year old.

Your painting makes me want to see if I can coax a smile out of her. (But I know I can't - because it's not "cool" to seem too happy...)

Wonderful job.

[Garth Herrick]

Thanks Jean, and Cindy!

I particularly like your choice of clothing with an almost classic pose, this portrait is both timeless and contemporary!

Jean: Clothes were definitely an issue with this portrait. I was half completed on a first version of this portrait when I realized that I would have to abandon it, mostly due to Laura's outfit! She had on a baggy oversize dark green tee shirt, and bleached and well worn jeans. Her grandparents were evidently displeased with the ultra casual look, and insisted on dressy slacks and elegant top (like they had sent for Christmas). For this second version, Laura was already wearing a sharp looking pair of new jeans, which I liked better. I was not sure about this olive knit top presented on the hanger, but when she put it on I said WOW, that's it! Everyone was happy in the end, with this combo. I have to admit this current version of dress is much better, and flattering than the first version.

Garth, I'd like to add my compliments to the queue. You have definitely captured the essence of a 13 year old.

Your painting makes me want to see if I can coax a smile out of her. (But I know I can't - because it's not "cool" to seem too happy...)

Wonderful job.

Cindy: Thanks! Your insight means a lot to me. Laura smiled quite a lot at her unveiling, though.

Garth

[Denise Hall]

Garth,

I loved the painting of Iona and her dog and now this one following is just as soft and beautifully painted.

I'm not sure what I admire most when I start trying to figure out why your paintings appeal so much to me (and it looks like the whole world of painters here too!). Is it the perfect way you handle values? Is it the way the colors meld together and separate just at the right point? Or is it your talented drawing skills and the talent you have for capturing the person inside?

It is so inspiring to look at your work - but I need to see it in person sometime too. I hope these people hang this portrait somewhere in their home where everyone will see it as they enter the house.



ps - I think your photos of your paintings are pretty good!

Sincerely,

Denise

[Garth Herrick]

WOW Denise,

You have given me high praise indeed! What a nice reply to wake up to.

Getting the values to make visual sense is something I tend to work hard at. I don't know if my drawing ability is anything special, but the nice thing about painting is that it is always possible to make corrections and revisions throughout the process. Painting is a balancing act. I may repaint and rework all the relationships several times before everything appears to click together.

I'm still in the trial and error stage of getting the right representative reproductions to post of my paintings in the Forum. Often, as in this portrait's case, I need to rework my posted images a little in Photoshop (to adjust levels and saturation), and then repost them.

With appreciation,

Garth