Maddie Raine

[Mara Schasteen]

This is a precious babe named Maddie. The challenge for me with this piece was to convey the "essence" of Maddie, without masking or over-emphasizing her Down's Syndrome.

I purposefully chose to paint Maddie with a warm light and a cool light on opposing sides of her to have the opportunity to attempt such a fun and colorful challenge.

Maddie is a super fun little girl, and I do hope this portrait helps to celebrate her personailty.

12" x 18" Oil on Hardboard

[Mara Schasteen]

Here are a few close ups...

[Claudemir Bonfim]

She is so cute.

[Mike Dodson]

I love those well painted hands. Those are the way hands should be painted!

[Debra Rexroat]

This is a wonderful, and a very sensitive handling of a delicate age! She is simply precious. I would call this a success.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Mara,

Beautiful treatment of her face, her hands--and her personality, too! I think it is bold, strong, and wonderful! It goes way beyond the "cute" baby portrait and her parents should be thrilled.

[Terri Ficenec]

Mara, this is completely charming! Beautifully done -- and yes those hands are precious as are her expression and the way you have her emerging/reaching out from the canvas -- very fresh! Kudos!

[Mara Schasteen]

Thank you so much, everyone, for your generous comments. They mean so much to me!