On blessing others through portraits

5x7 Chobie's Attitude

Well... I finally hit the wall today. Thursday was a constant stream of people coming in and buying or ordering. I took the time to think of what my parents would like from us and I settled on a portrait of each of their grandchildren Isaac and David. David is pictured above in his usual defiant pose when he is asked to do something. It's not what a client would ask to be painted , but I feel this kind of pose truly reflects a side that the sitter possesses that people immediately recognize as being a dominant part of their personality. I want to hear... Yeah ... that's David ( Chobie ).

 I have been thoroughly BLESSED this Christmas season with orders of portraits. But it's not the orders that has blessed us but the reaction that I am getting from my clients. I painted a portrait of a client's wife. He gave me a photo taken of her in 1968 where she is sporting a beehive style hairdo. The photo was faded and I had to adjust the colors . I could tell that he trusted me to do a good job but he still demonstrated hesitation. Some clients you just have to hold their hand through the process. You HAVE to make them feel comfortable and that the end result will come out okay. I do this by painting a small preliminary color sketch for them to approve. When it came time for him to pick up the painting, he was besides himself with joy. He was proudly holding the painting and remarking out loud.. Frank, You really captured my wife. My sweetheart. Wow. This went on for some time as he said he could not believe how well I pulled off the assignment. I forgot to photograph the final effort. But watching him walk out of the Gallery overjoyed just made it all worthwhile. That was more reward than the money. You can really touch someone with a painting that can be enjoyed for as long at it adores a wall.

5x7 Mia

 Then there was Jerry's reaction to the 2 grandchildren I painted for him. He just was ecstatic about how I painted his sweet little Mia. He was tearing up. He's going around telling and showing the paintings to friends and clients. Its great word of mouth.

 I could go on how clients have truly blessed me this Christmas Season with how appreciative they are with the work I have done for them. But it would be too self indulgent. It already is ... so pardon me. But there is a reason for this....

 I have learned it so much better to give of yourself and your gifting to others. You honor God by doing what you do best for others is truly a wonderful adventure. You have no idea how one good small act will ripple across the sea of a person's life.



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ON getting ready for Saturday's Open Gallery/Studio

5x7 oil on linen panel " Karen Granada"

 Well..... it's been awhile but it has been go go go since the Tiburon Arts and Crafts Fair. As usual , we had a good time and both FX and I had a good go of it. I sold a total of 7 paintings and the enthusiasm level was much appreciated at this end.

 So far , the $75 - 5x7  oil portraits are keeping me busy with the public. It's an affordable price for the season around these parts and I have 11 orders to date besides the "promised" orders. What has occured with some of my visitors is that they initially are drawn in by the price but after we talk about what they want , they have decided to order larger sized portraits. So far so good.

 You still have time to send me a jpeg of your special someone. It's a limited time deal for this Christmas season.

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This Saturday from 3pm to 9pm the Gallery/Studio will be open for visitors to peruse the wonderful sampling of paintingst from the various artists at my Gallery. I will be painting a portrait during the event..... The artists featured include Maria Sylvester , Udo Shroeder , Chris Hopkins and Thomas Fluharty. Also on display will be goards by Kathleen Sailor and Ukranian eggs by Teresa Harbert. Refreshments will be served with Holiday cheer.

843 Lincoln Way Auburn Ca 95603  ..... google map it!

..... Pandora likes this month .....  Fitz and the Tantrums  ..... Madeleine Peyroux

On going to the Annual Arts and Crafts Fair in Tiburon Ca

Fog Blankets Tiburon 11x14 Pastel

 Today I drive down to the Bay area and reconnect with FX and all the good folks in Tiburon at their annual Arts and Crafts Fair. I really have a good time down there and besides displaying my paintings at the Art & Garden Center at 841 Tiburon Boulevard I always hit Sams for a fine beer and their amazing calamari. I can't wait.

 The pastel above is from FX's front yard looking towards Sausalito. The fog rolls over the hill and during sunrise creates a fairy tale like shroud that mesmerizes the senses. It really is magic. I haven't done a pastel in a while and since I had purchased 2 glass frames in July at Aaron Bros annual penny sale ( buy one frame and get the next for a penny ) a pastel fit the bill.

Halley 11x14 oil on Panel

 I wanted to paint a sample for an 11 x 14 portrait. I used my neice Halley ( she's only 14 in the photo) for a painting where I experimented with gold metallic oil paint. I really looks cool in person.

The Arts and Crafts sale is Saturday from 10 to 4pm. I hope to see you there! I will have about 12 paintings on exhibit .