My sweet Steven

Here's a big portrait that I'd like to do more work on, but I
doubt my subject would agree. It captures
my husband perfectly, except for one thing. At the time
I painted this, he did not want to pose, and made that clear
the whole time he was posing. In fact the painting
captures that reluctance fairly well, but doesn't show what
a great guy he is.

I like the style of the painting a lot. It has the loose quality
I'm always trying for in my personal work -- or paintings
that aren't commissioned, and expected to be more
detailed, more Sargent-like. I cannot be Sargent. I have
no illusions, but the 40 sittings Sargent required
produced those glorious works. The painting on the wall
is an abstract of our little schoolhouse in a meadow in
Nova Scotia.

The photo curves the painting somewhat -- those lines
are really straight. I'll remedy that soon.

At the dance in the yellow chair
36" x 48"
acrylic on canvas

It bothers me that Steven's expression in the painting
is pained -- I prefer my husband's jollier face.

Such is the painter's life sometimes - coercing family to
pose to get big paintings on the wall for a show.

I have no doubt that I'll paint my darling again. This time
he'll be beaming.

Have a loving-your-mate day.