Clayton J. Beck III "Rachel"

[Clayton J. Beck III]

Hello SOG friends,

This is a very special portrait for me. I've sat in on my friend Dan's painting session in his studio. Several things came together all at one time to make this a very special session. My friend Rose came from the opposite direction and just happen to show up also. When Dan has several people in his studio, he prefers that people don't use oil paint because of the problem of thinner fumes. Dan did a watercolor, I did a pastel, and Rose did an oil without the use of thinner.

Although we were out of school for more than 10 years, we kept in contact with our drawing teacher Bill Parks. A few days before this evening tragedy struck. His wife had passed. He spoke of her often.

Mr. Parks showed up at the painting session, though not to paint. I don't know about the others in the room but I had a tremendous feeling that it was very important that the work going on in the room help our teacher understand how important his life had been to us and how his teaching would effect us the rest of our lives.

I don't get a chance to paint with my friends very often but when I do it is special. This one especially.

"Tricia"
20 inches by 16 inches
Pastel on paper (Mi Tientes - tobacco)

[Patricia Joyce]

Thank you for sharing your moving story, Clayton. The warmth and sensitivity you felt during that session really shows in your portrait here. It's beautiful .

[Cecelia Cox]

This is wonderful, so expressive (both the expression on her face and the expressive "brushwork").

Cecelia Cox

[Vianna Szabo]

This is very painterly and expressive, Clayton.