I admit it -- my bias leans towards happy art. That said, there's a big difference between happy and sappy, and I try to stay on the joy train, without turning my work into Hallmark cards. This painting of my friend, Carolee is a case in point. When I asked her to pose so I
could photograph her for a painting, she was reluctant.
It was a bad year for her, and she was doing her best
to get through it. My demands were annoying, just
another hassle. Carolee has great taste, and she's moved twice since this image was painted, but she always creates a magnificent garden. Plus she's a beautiful woman and a delight to paint.
The photos I took were a far cry from the final result,
except that Carolee was in this pose, and wearing these
clothes. Her true expression was a kind of wry resignation -- as in,
"let's get this over with."
My goal is frequently to portray what I feel is the joy, or even potential joy inside a person. And that's what I did with Carolee.
The painting hangs in the office I share with my boss
at Seneca, and everyone who sees it, loves it. And Carolee?
She's happier than she's ever been in her life, in love
and living with a wonderful man. So there you go.
Have a looking and feeling happy day.
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