Superior Court Judge

[Alexandra Tyng]

Oh, Tom, this is wonderful! I've been looking forward to seeing this ever since you mentioned the light on the robes during our Nelson Shanks weekend. At the time I was thinking, "It couldn't possibly be as wild as he thinks it is," and it's not--it's perfect--silvery and very expressive of the fabric. It's one of those controlled breakthroughs: huge internally, but handled masterfully. The color is truly beautiful and I do like the simplicity.

Also I agree with Linda about your ability to communicate "intelligent humanity." I get the impression that he's seen a lot, he'll treat people with respect and compassion, but in the end he will be fair. It's a great portrait.

[Sharon Knettell]

Tom,

I do think this is your best so far. There is a lovely feeling of gentility, space and light in this piece. The robe is spectacular.

Portraits such as these which I usually refer to as "flag to the right or flag to the left" are difficult to make interesting and beautiful.

[Tom Edgerton]

Friends--

These reactions are very welcome indeed...

Linda--Thanks so much. I enjoyed chatting with him about his career and the Law as we worked, and I guess that came through.

Alex--I never much felt on thin ice with it, but it's nice to know it all works okay. Thanks again for a great weekend--I learned a lot.

Sharon--This is terrific validation...I was feeling it could be a personal best, even in the middle of the work. So I slowed down and tried to absorb what I was learning. Thank God they didn't insist on a flag, but even with the lawbooks, which are notoriously busy and gaudy on the spines, I edited the detail to the bare essentials and shoved them way down into the shadows.

As to the space--I looked at DeCamp's public portraits frequently. He really let things breathe.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Originally Posted by Tom Edgerton

Thanks again for a great weekend--I learned a lot.

Tom, it is I who should be thanking you, since you started it all by making the trip and getting me and Garth rallied. I was wondering whether seeing the show had any impact on the portrait--not that it looks like a Shanks in any way--it's all Edgerton. I always find something happens in my next or current work after I've seen some really inspiring art.

[Julie Deane]

Tom - I agree with what others have already written, and have very little new to add, but will try, since I admire this very much.

I love how you've added interest with all the values in the robe, and then put similar interest into the background, by putting a flickering quality into those greens.

You're one of those artists I guess I thought was not able to get any better than you already were, (in other words, how to improve on "great"?)
But yet, this portrait shows another leap...

[Tom Edgerton]

Mischa--Thanks very much

Carlos--I appreciate these words from a master himself.

Chris--Always rewarding to hear from you. See you in Reston.

Alex--There has been a breakthrough in thinking after seeing the show. I will probably be more comfortable with pushing the color from here on. I had felt that I needed to see those paintings at this time in my development particularly.

Julie--Thanks a lot! Richard Schmid said that when you take up painting you take on something that can't be mastered, and he's right. After every horizon is another horizon.

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Tom, let me add my praise. It conveys the personality of the sitter and the rendering of the black robe is absolutely stunning.
A lot to learn here, thanks for posting
Ilaria

[Mike McCarty]

Tom,

Beautifully done. Those hands are as good as hands need to be.

This should at least get you out of any future speeding tickets.

[Jeanine Jackson]

This commands attention, then allows the viewer to settle down into it the narrative of the character of this man, and finally delights in the bravura of your technique. "Show them what the paint can do," is a lesson echoed by many masters I have studied with. You have done that here without compromising your subject. Bravo!

[Tom Edgerton]

Jeanine--

Thanks so much for this affirmation!

--TE