Louis I Kahn

Alexandra Tyng · 10-15-2006, 09:37 PM

Thanks, Mischa! As you pointed out, this was more than "Just a commission;" it was an experience. I did remember him, but it was more a general sense of the way he was in life, rather than any specific memories of events.

As for keeping on painting, I really appreciate your encouragement, Mischa! I don't think I could stop!

Lacey, you and I have been down similar paths in many ways. Thank you.

to you, too.

John Reidy · 10-16-2006, 07:42 AM

Alex,

Beautiful job and what a fantastic tribute that you and your family were able to enjoy. I can't imagine a more fulfilling experience.

I am curious, however. When I had the opportunity to paint my father's posthumous portrait there was a point were the painting took over what I painted. I had wonderful photo references but as I painted his face, and especially his eyes, I began to paint from emotion and abandoned the photos. The result was that it doesn't look like the photo reference but rather more like the look that I recognized from my father. People who didn't know my father immediately see the difference (when they see the referece material) but all of my brothers ans sisters (6) see our dad.

Did you experience anything like this in your painting of your father?

Alexandra Tyng · 10-16-2006, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Reidy

I began to paint from emotion and abandoned the photos. The result was that it doesn't look like the photo reference but rather more like the look that I recognized from my father. . . .
Did you experience anything like this in your painting of your father?

Sort of--though I didn't exactly abandon the photo references, the painting started looking different from them in a way I couldn't identify at the time, but looking back I guess I must have been putting my memories of my father into the face, and he seemed to be becoming more and more himself.

Thanks for sharing that, John, and thanks for your kind words of appreciation. It really was a great experience, especially since I haven't been out of the U.S. since I was 18 (I'm not sure how that happened)!