Mother St. George, CSJ

Patricia Joyce · 06-02-2004, 10:34 AM

I volunteered a few months ago to do a drawing of the first Mother Superior for the Congregation of St. Joseph (my place of employment). Mother St. George came from France to begin a convent in Cleveland in 1875. I believe this picture was probably taken in the 1910's. It is the only pic the convent has of her. Needless to say, they have always been disappointed that the only picture of their founder on record is so . . . well . . . miserable! Over the past 100 years a few sisters have done pencil portraits . . . and they weren't any better.

So I decided, for the fun of it, to have a go at it. I presented this to Sr. June this week. Sr. June is the congregation's archivist. She loves it. The current Team (they have a team now, instead of Mother Superiors) member told me yesterday they love the portrait and it is pursuading them to name the new CSJ Center (A HUGE project underway) the Bradley Center, after Mother St. George (Bradley). If this is the case they want to make a portrait of her the centerpiece. I would do a more formal and larger portrait . . .

My challenge in doing this portrait was to try to keep it "her" but make her more pleasant looking. If you study the photograph you will see that she has a very asymmetrical face, her eyes are set very crooked, her nose is "out of joint" and even the corners of her mouth do not line up as in a typical symmetrical face. I felt I had to keep this "crooked" look to keep her likeness. I would be interested in opinions. Maybe I should have "straightened out her features??

This was fun, and a great little project to get me out of my artist's block. Who knows, maybe something will come from this for me. I could be the latest "Portrait Artist of the Convents" (however, I did see Beth's Painting of a CSJ - she will get the title way before I could!!! Nice painting, Beth

)

Enjoy

Elizabeth Schott · 06-03-2004, 10:50 AM

Pat I think you did a good job with the subtle "lightness" of personality in the pose! Yes we will get to be at the gates - not sure if I'll get in, but I'll be hanging out at the door.

If you haven't turned this over yet and want some comments, let me know or say it's OK for them to move it or or post them here.

Aren't they lovely ladies!

Patricia Joyce · 06-03-2004, 02:42 PM

Thanks, Elizabeth. I always welcome comments but did not post in Drawing Critiques because I have given it to the congregation, telling them it is not a formal portrait, but that I would do one if they wanted. I did not like this paper (Fabriano UNO).

Anyone who would like to critique I would be grateful and if it needs to be moved, I can post in critique section, just let me know.

This is a great place to work. In fact I just returned from a luncheon the "retiring team" gave us at the Great Lakes Brewery in downtown Cleveland. We are all back after a 3 hr lunch and my boss, Sr Pat, just poked her head in and said, I don't expect much this afternoon, you may want to use this time to plan your vacation on-line. You've gotta love it. . .

Jean Kelly · 06-04-2004, 10:15 AM

Pat, I think you've taken an extremely hard photo, (she looks downright mean) and turned it into the same person with the addition of serenity, grace, and kindness. No wonder they like it. I'm sure your drawing reflects her personality better than the photo. Good job, I hope they decide to have you do a formal portrait.

Jean

Patricia Joyce · 06-04-2004, 10:20 AM

Thank you Jean. They have this portrait and are presenting it at their committee formed to name the center. Sr June said if they go with Bradley Center they may commission me to do a formal portrait on a larger scale. It would be very exciting. However, I am having a difficult time feeling good about my drawings lately. I am still struggling with a portrait of my daughter in law. Got very close to finishing it and then felt I lost her likeness. After studying it I realized the eyes were off, and the corner of the mouth, the slightest bit and boy did it change everything. So after I return this weekend I will be back at the drawing board. I have to say I am learning with each one, but boy do I feel like I am progressing at a snail's pace.

Whatever it takes . . . it takes