Arianna and Taylor

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Thanks Garth,
the adoption detail sheds a whole new light on it.
Many many compliments again
I.

[Garth Herrick]

I just improved and sharpened the posted image. It shows the level of detail a bit clearer than before. Thanks for viewing!

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Jean Kelly

Garth,

You can never post too many close-ups of your work. I may look, trying to learn something, but always come away flabbergasted. It's simply too lovely to look at! I forget to study.

I'm often bored with the standard little girl in the white dress, but this is a whole new take on an old idea. It's exciting, fun, beautifully executed, and awe inspiring.

Jean

Hi Jean,

Thanks for your kindness. I know what you mean about looking and trying to learn from the looking, but just being confounded by loveliness. It happens to me all the time.

This is my first ever white dress genre painting. I am glad it comes accross as atypical and inspiring.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Chris Saper

Dear Garth,


(.....)Too many close ups? Surely you jest.

Well Chris, I was worried because it's such a busy painting with so much going on. Thanks for helping to reassure me I haven't exceeded the limit.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Janel Maples

.

Hey, I just thought of this, do you know what would be a real treat? If you would start a thread and post a painting in progress. That would be the TREAT OF ALL JAMMIE TREATS for me. What do you say?

By the way a "jammie treat" is a very special event around here. It is the time of day that we all get into our jammies and have a treat before bed. Not always edible. It was my way of making bed time something to look forward to for my children. Works great, and it is a hoot when my husband asks "Honey, what is the jammie treat for tonight?"

Hey Janel,

I like your jammie treat of an idea too. I actually envisioned doing just what you wished with this painting, showing it in progress. I actually took a few initial shots of the beginning, but then as so often can happen, I lost my way and struggled a bit. This is actually the second start to this painting. There is another half completed canvas discarded and relegated to a dark corner of my studio because I was not happy with it. It actually was not as bad a false start as I thought, though and maybe I should rework it toward a finish too. But I have a few other jobs to do first. Thanks for your encouragement of this painting in progress idea.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Very nice Garth.

I agree that these spontaneous "less than" posed portraits of children are very compelling.

Thanks Mike,

I generally will patiently wait, watch and observe what a sitter will naturally assume in a pose. This can be compelling as you say, and very insightful as a way to reveal the sitter's personality. Not all spontaneous photographic moments seem adaptable to painted portraits however. Some actions can seem too extreme and implausible as a painted record. There is underlying truth to the teachings that a portrait pose should be that which can be held and assumed without strain for a length of time by the sitter. However, in analysing the case of this painting's references, the mere fact that the girls are seated adds just about sufficient stability to anchor their activity and interaction.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by John Reidy

I have just brought to a close the face of a little boy with puppies that has similar lighting and down cast eyes. I must say that as much trouble as I have had I am glad to see yours worked out so well. I still have a lot of work to do but I thank you for the inspiration.

Again, a beautiful piece!

John,

I am glad if this painting can help inspire you. Hopefully we will see your painting with the down cast eyes finished and posted soon as well. Good luck, and thank you!

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Heidi Maiers

The mother's shoes are a perfect addition to this piece.
....... Seeing it live - now that would really be something special.

Dear Heidi,

Thank you so much for your kudos. The girls' mother has many wonderful dress-up shoes that are perfect for their play fantasies.

Thanks for wanting to see this live; it's in a private collection though.

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Claudemir Bonfim

The more I see, the more I enjoy it!
Do you use the "impasto" in your paintings?
I ask this because they look so Alive.

Thanks Claudemir!

There is quite a bit of impasto build-up and texture in the white dresses, especially as they build up to their lightest highlights. I really loaded on the paint there. It's pretty thin and translucent in the shadows though. Thanks for asking!

Garth

[Garth Herrick]

Originally Posted by Ngaire Winwood

Garth, you are carving a unique path that I certainly would like to follow you along on. To watch you continue to create symphonies on canvas that I could witness, ponder and be inspired from.

Ditto about the WIP thread idea.

I for one, would envisage that I would be drooling from start to finish, much similiar like I am now, not only from sheer astonishment, but from the fact that I have already sat here in front of your work on my screen, long after my eyes had popped out and rolled onto the floor from excessive strain injury and telling myself that to hang in there as this is what all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes is all about.

Symphonies on canvas!!!!!! What a joy to see. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Ngaire,

I would be happy to help and share with a WIP. Your kind wish is prodding and inspiring me as well!

Garth