My favorite kind of day

In the park -- ready for summer
Final version
Acrylic on canvas
24 x 36 inches
Barbara Muir © 2010
(I'll take a more accurate colour photo
next week.)

As you know I've been working for a while on a family
portrait. Today my client came to pick the painting
up, and loved it. That is always such a good feeling --
one I can't even describe. I was really proud of this
painting. It felt I'd achieved what I'd like to do with
a portrait -- create a feeling and mood, plus capture
my impression of the sitters' personalities.

I do not have a really accurate photo of the final product.
The colour that you've seen in earlier photos is much more
like the true colour of the painting. When I took the painting
outside to photograph it, the tint in every photo was completely
washed in blue. This has never happened before.

The incredibly happy ending to the story? It was a surprise
anniversary present for the children's father, and he's
written me a thank you note that I'll treasure always. He
feels that the painting represents all that he and his wife
have created as a family. I was close to tears reading the note.
My job as a portrait painter is frequently inspiring in every
way, but this has been an outstanding day.

Have a thanking-the-people-who-add-meaning-to-your-life day.