It's time.
It seems that I've fallen into the trap that many grandparents fall into. We are all gaga over the first grandchild's arrival and that diminishes with the birth of each new kid.
When Ewen was born over 10 years ago, it seemed that he was the most amazing baby ever. He became the subject of not one, but two portraits. The one on the left celebrates the mark that babies make on their families. It is called, Fingerprints. The one on the right is called, Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader. Little did I know that 9 years later, I would help teach him to read during a worldwide pandemic. Both of these are done in chalk pastels.
Grandchild # 2 - Frances. I had the privilege of spending quality time with her other grandmother on Frances' first birthday. Again, seeing the world through the eyes of someone who has never seen it before. How wonderful! This one is called, No Small Wonder. She was a wonder and what she saw took on a new aura of wonder when we saw the world through her eyes. Here she is excited to see moving trees. This is another chalk pastel painting.
Grandchild #3 - Charlotte. Charlotte's was born an artist. Watercolours lent themselves to her portrait. I have 2 or 3 other reference photos for further portraits of Charlotte.
Which brings us to today. I am embarrassed to say that it has taken this long to paint Nora's portrait. Soon she will be seven.
Today, I took the first step. The first step is always the hardest, isn't it? It is not easy to draw someone you know so well. Right now, I am not happy that she inherited my fine hair. This painting will celebrate the relationship she has with her Dad. It will be very difficult to paint. This will be another watercolour. We'll see how it goes.
Comments