Irene Rose.
Seen through the eyes of a seven-color palette.
Alizarin crimson and
ultramarine blue compete for starring roles
while bristle brushes encounter the terrain of a prepared canvas.
Piercing blue eyes of subject and artist
mother and son
struggle to make peace with 96 years
while filberts #4 and #6 solicit to capture a wordless truth.
Each application of paint renders layers of
Guilt. Innocence.
Disappointment. Hope.
Expectation. Acceptance.
Until the last piece of paint pronounces
Forgiveness
and
Irene Rose.
Seen.
“My preference, in doing portraits, is about the relationship I develop with the subject I paint. When I ask myself the RIGHT questions, they give me the answer. Uncovering that abstract story … emotion … beauty … THAT is the joy of creativity.” – Ray
When Ray told me that he wanted to try his hand at portraiture in oils, I was curious.
When he told me his mother would be his first subject, I was surprised. When he said he needed to start and complete the portrait before the summer was through – well, he had my full attention. (Oddly, she fell and broke her hip about a month after the piece was completed.)
A portrait can capture a likeness or an essence.
What Ray captured in ‘Irene Rose’ is an essence not often seen in our day-to-day life with Irene – and that is what I love about this piece. He was able to rise above all the negative conditioning that often presents itself in this relationship with his 96-year-old mother to see and paint the woman without the fears that have driven her to drive others. (Anyone in a challenged relationship with a parent knows what I’m saying here.)
That an artist can accomplish this feat in portraiture is maybe not so amazing. But when that artist is the son of the subject and the painting is a first attempt, it is. (Just my opinion.) And it makes me want to stick around and see what else he captures as he continues to explore his fascination for painting people in the chiaroscuro style of the masters.
So, when Ray told me his next portrait is to be a self-portrait, I smiled. THAT subject might be even tougher than the last!
Entered through the Art Gallery? Click here to go back.
To see another “Ray step-by-step” post click: Art in the Making: A Confession
To see what other creatives have to say about their process click: Muses Among Us
©2010 Enlightened Ink – If you are inspired to share or quote from this article please share The Messy Room with it. Together we grow.
Tags: art, art therapy, forgiveness, Ray's Art, relationships
Ray, when Bernadette told me about this painting, I only got a peripheral view of what it took for you to do this work. Now that I see it, I am FEELING it. I feel the myriad of emotions and your artistic voyage from start to finish. What an AMAZING piece! Words don’t do it justice so I’ll just say… amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this inspiration.
That is really stunning. I am in awe that you could take a subject and do that with it. It is much harder when it’s a parent or grandparent and you have had a rocky relationship with them.
Wow, this amazing. Beautiful and elegant painting says it all. LOVE
Stunning is the only word I can come up with. This painting truly is a work of Love.
Your mother is beautiful..Thank you for sharing!
Your deep love and anguish within the patterns of life are shown through this work. It is a masterpiece in your life. You have conquered and won the spiritual grace needed to perform this task. It shall move you forward out of the pain, as in time the envisioned will leave you when transferring beyond the veil. There will be more understanding then. Love to you Sweet Warrior….your tears will be those of joy.
This may appear to be through the eyes of a 7 color palette (the #7 is so meaningful); however, it’s clearly to me an expression of layers of love. In your mother’s face I see no judgement, fear, or any of the aspects of that. I see the gentleness and love at the core of her being… there is no hardness…only vulnerability, peace & grace…Many can paint a likeness..what mom looks like…what the wife looks like, etc…it take a True artist to capture the essence of who she is…you’ve done that beautifully and I’m so glad you shared it…What an awesome & amazing first attempt!! <3
Ray, wonderful picture of Irene… Ilyse is starting her art camp next week… let’s hope she has a lot of Smith in her….
“Seen through the eyes”, yet birthed and projected via the soul. I have chills… and a tear in my eye. Enough said.
Shelby, it is truly Divine timing that you stumbled on this particular post at this time in your life. No coincidence. You were led.
[...] If you would like to see more of this portrait “in process” click on this link to Musings from the Messy Room: Seen through the eyes of a seven-color palette. [...]