Finish of Mother and Daughter


11"x14" oil on stretched canvas

This painting has such a sweet feeling, it has given me a lump in my throat a couple of times.

Visitors to the gallery today have shifted back to the more familiar- adults on vacation or in San Antonio for a conference. The last two or three weeks it has been a parade of anxious, fast-moving and grumpy (sometimes even thoughtlessly rude) parents with their children. A last dash to have a family vacation? A drop in sales all through La Villita accompanied this parade. But today seems to be more what I'd gotten used to- happy people strolling unhurriedly and enjoying the treasures they come upon. Ahhhhh. I'm enjoying the conversations today.

I hope you'll swing by and keep me company as I paint tomorrow at one p.m. Central.

21 comments:

Barbara Pask said...

Susan, This is just beautiful. Is this a gift from daughter to mother? I'll plan to be there tomorrow to watch you paint, can't wait.

lesta frank said...

Susan,
this is my favorite of your portraits. what beautiful emotions it expresses!
Lesta

SharonWrightArtist said...

This is so beautiful. You really have such a sensitive touch. Go girl!

Teresa Cowley said...

You did a wonderful job... I know the client will be very, very happy.

Pamela Clarkson said...

Susan-this one is just special--and not just the subject. The color and brushwork is fabulous--I'll bet you'll get tears of joy from this one-

Perform said...

Hi, Susan!

This is a fantastic portrait! I'll be there for your demo, come Gustav or high water, or is that redundant? We're just watching and waiting...

Dianne Mize said...

Well, Susan, this one went right out of the park! What a lovely golden light you have in the background and reflecting through the mother's hair and onto her face. The entire portrait is lovely, just lovely.

Anonymous said...

Wow Susan! This one is truly a masterpiece -- way more than just a portrait! The emotional content and overall feeling of sweetness and love is just wonderful. I love the colors and the colors and planes of the faces. Fantastico!

Susan Carlin said...

Thanks, Barbara! The daughter will be keeping this painting for herself and her family. Her mother passed on recently.

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Lesta! When the daughter first approached me about painting her mother, she sent photos by email, one with this image, and I suggested she think about including herself in the painting, as it told a more complete story. I'm glad she agreed.

theresamillerwatercolors said...

Susan, this is so WONDERFUL! Such a treasure for the daughter to keep forever! It did bring tears to MY eyes!

I'll be there today to watch you paint and making magic! Smiles!

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Sharon and Teresa!

Susan Carlin said...

Pam! How great to hear from you- and you couldn't have said a nicer thing to me.

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Beverly! You're in the path of Gustav? Hope you're on high ground!

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Dianne! I sat and thought for a long while about what background colors to use. There was already an ochre undertone to their faces so I wondered if using yellows behind would allow their faces to show pinker/warmer in the foreground. I don't have any real, formal theory to fall back on, so sometimes I just have to try several options to see what works.

Susan Carlin said...

Jana, thank you! I think some of the emotion is conveyed by the daughter's closed eyes. She'd sent me another photo taken at the same time with her eyes open, and I reluctantly offered to paint her eyes open, if she liked. But she agreed to this one, saying she wanted her family to be able to feel this emotion the way she did.
I get tears just writing that.

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Theresa! I still need to figure out what I'm painting today, but I'm looking forward to being with ya'll. See you in about 7 hours!

Amy Gethins Sullivan said...

Susan~
I can surly understand the feeling choked up & teary as you worked on this lovely portrait. You found all the love between this Mother & daughter.
I would love to know the reaction you get when they see it. Is it a gift from the daughter to her Mother?
It really is beautiful.
~Amy~

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Amy! The daughter commissioned this for herself and her family. Her mother passed on recently.

Jo Castillo said...

Susan, lovely painting. Touching story. Hugs.

Susan Carlin said...

Thank you, Jo. I'll collect those hugs in person at APS on Sept. 28, right?