Small, commmissioned pastel portrait

This lovely woman, a neurochemist researcher, came in the gallery on Saturday and said she'd like to have a portrait made, but thought she was not photogenic. I offered to take photos to see if perhaps it was not true. We both looked at the resulting images on the computer and agreed on one of the poses, with the "fringe" or bangs of another. She would be leaving San Antonio Tuesday night and could come by at the end of the day to pick up the portrait. It was such a pleasure to please her. I loved painting it for her and she loved the results. She said I'd made her famous- that she'd visited another shop in La Villita and someone there recognized her from the portrait I'd painted. That was nice. I framed it in a simple frame so she could get home and replace it with something grander. She has an idea for another painting- of her grandmother's house which only exists in a photograph now. I'm looking forward to that project.
Life is good. Painting and talking with sweet, happy people is filling my days. Sometimes it has required pushing the eject button on toxic situations and people, but oh, it's worth it.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have a real gift for capturing such humane expressions. This sitter looks kind and giving.

Pamela Clarkson said...

Susan- I am so thrilled that you are getting commissions from the gallery--I'll bet that woman was pleased--what a beautiful portrait! And I so admire your determination to maintain your "bliss"--Your admiring co-artist--Pam

Jo Castillo said...

Very nice. Great colors and expression.

Linasolopoesie said...

8 MARZO FESTA DELLA DONNA

A noi donne
romatiche, combattive, ironiche, dolce....a ciascuno di noi porgiamoci un fiore , affinchè ogni giorni veniamo festeggiate, affinchè il valore di ciscuna di noi venga sempre valorizzato e riconosciuto , affinchè la nostra mano venga tenuta da mano forti, volorose ......e rispettose...........Un abbraccio a tutti i vostri sogni .... liberi


di volare in questo spazio !!!!!!



LINA

Anonymous said...

just visiting your blog, what a delight to read about all your opening,(such wonderful sunshiny pictures...we are in the heart of a blizzard here at the moment, yuck!) and also to see your wonderful portraits you've been working on. Good luck with everything Susan!

Mrs. G. said...

This is beautiful. Light seems to come from her. Pardon my lack of artistic vocabulary.

Angela Fehr said...

She looks like someone that it would be a pleasure to paint and to know. Good for you for capturing that - it just glows with that inner beauty.