Volunteer portrait

Julie Deane · 09-09-2007, 11:05 AM

This is a portrait I did as part of the Art from the Heart project (see post in After Event Reports).

Marion Flint Jr. was just 30 when he died in Iraq. This portrait was done for his mother.

I had a small photo to work from with part of the detail missing. Luckily, I had many other photos that helped me fill in some missing visual information.

Chris Saper · 09-09-2007, 12:47 PM

Julie, it is just a lovely portrait!

His mom must be overwhelmed with the sensitivity which you have conveyed. I love the image of a vibrant young man, soft and natural, rather than so many of the formal posthumous military images that are more common.

How very sad, for him and for the many thousands of others like him. You, and the other participants, have really done something meaningful in honoring these soldiers' lives..

Enzie Shahmiri · 09-09-2007, 03:15 PM

Julie, it is so nice that you were able to give the family such a nice rememberance.

I looked at the after event report and I am glad to see that people are celebrating the life of the departed ones, eventhough it is very sad as well. I lack the right words to express what I mean....

Julie Deane · 09-09-2007, 04:16 PM

One of the first words after I met his mom was, "this doesn't have to be a military portrait, does it?"

I tried to incorporate some of her favorite photos, but when I saw the reference photo with that beautiful expression, it caught my heart.

Alexandra Tyng · 09-09-2007, 04:53 PM

Julie, what an absolutely beautiful portrait! He's so alive--what a priceless gift. The edges are magical and the shadowy space is suggestive and full of depth and possiblity. I'm so glad his mother asked you if it had to be a military portrait. This is way better than a stiff portrait of him in uniform.

Cynthia Daniel · 09-09-2007, 05:03 PM

Wow, it is so sensitively done - makes ME want to cry. Beautiful, Julia.

Julie Deane · 09-09-2007, 05:10 PM

Thanks, Chris, Enzie, Alexandra, Cynthia -

I appreciate your comments. This was hanging in the mom's home for 4 months before I needed to get it back for the show. I could tell it was hard for her to have it leave the home, even with assurances that it would be well cared for.

Tom Edgerton · 09-10-2007, 04:20 PM

What a great thing for you to do...and what a truly great and moving result.

Congratulations!--TE

Julie Deane · 09-11-2007, 08:28 AM

Thanks, Tom

Pam Powell · 09-14-2007, 10:52 AM

What a lovely thing to do with a beautiful result. Portrait painters have a unique position of emotionally connecting with a whole intimate chain of humanity. "Mystical" is the word that keeps popping into my mind. Well done.