Another Union League President

[Garth Herrick]

Mary Ann, Mary, Clayton, and Allan, thank you all! Being credited as having the "rare ability to breathe life and humanity into official portraits" means so much. It probably was just good luck and a good start, and a fine and patient gentleman to represent.

I just plugged the framer. They do top notch work, and can make or match any historic or museum frame. You get what you pay for though. This frame used on Mr. Haab's portrait cost about $4,500.00. Fortunately I was not the one paying for it.

The Union League would never go to a "hobby lobby". They are renowned for their fine and sumptuous gilding and framing throughout their galleries and parlors. Cost is not an issue. They left me free to select a frame myself, although in the end, Mr. Haab made the final choice. I did however prepare a few optional virtual presentations in Photoshop to influence the decision.

In these four pictures, #1. is a mockup of the same frame used for Mr. DiLella two years ago, but resized for this canvas; #2. is the same profile as was actually used, but in white gold and without the decorative corners added (I took a number of photos of just a frame sample corner and stitched them together in Photoshop for this illusion); #3. is an array of several frame samples together which Perakis thought we should consider; the white gold one again is the same profile and the next one is the DiLella profile; #4. is a detail of the frame we used.

Thanks for your input!

Garth

[John Reidy]

Very nice, Garth. Another fabulous conclusion. Well done.

[Mary Sparrow]

Garth, I echo everyone else. It is fantastic.

[Mike Dodson]

You never cease to amaze me. A modern Master you are!

[Richard Monro]

Garth,

Your paintings always amaze me but this one jumped off the monitor at me. It is so alive and real that at first blush I thought you had posted a photograph of a subject. Then I realized what you had accomplished and found myself absorbed in the details that have been so masterfully painted. How long did it take to complete? Do you enjoy doing the very detailed passages? I know some people love doing them, but I find them maddening. Smashing work.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Garth,

This portrait is magnificent in every way! First of all, Mr. Haab's expression is so totally HIM. Even though I've never met him, I can tell. He doesn't even seem to be posing in any way. It looks as if you caught him in the middle of a conversation, just after he's listened to you and is considering his response. I'll bet he looks like that every day.

The skin tones and textures, the texture and color of his clothing, are all rendered so well. The detail is there but it doesn't overwhelm or looks static. One thing I really like about your work is how, up close, the brushwork is visible. The surface is not too smooth--it's alive.

Moving on to the background, it's so well done in and of itself, and in relation to the figure. It's rich with detail, but not sharply painted or overworked. The textures and surfaces of glass, wood, etc., are immediately recognizable. It is all held together (and pushed back in space) by the fact that you have kept it within a narrow value range. I think this is my new favorite of yours.

[Tom Edgerton]

Fabulous, Garth....many congratulations!

[Garth Herrick]

Dear John, Mary, Mike, Richard, Alex, and Tom, my sincere thanks!

Richard, you know, for me that tie was the toughest bit to pull off; to get a sense of rolling turning form and modulation of light while maintaining the pattern, nearly drove me.... well it was maybe a little tedious, but the rest was easier.

Alex, thanks! It is him, I'll admit it. He naturally hit this pose right at the beginning of the shoot. The images that followed somehow had less spontaneity and spark. It often happens that the subject is best right at the start, and it's magical to capture it. It means a lot when you say it's a new favorite of yours!

Thanks again,

Garth

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Magnificent, Garth - you just get better and better.

[SB Wang]

敦厚
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