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| Portrait #60 ©2011 Toni Ruppert 20 x 24″ Oil Painting (on Canvas) |
Today and in the next post, I show you the “secrets” to how my painting can help get beyond a less than ideal situation. My painting also goes through a less than pretty stage and I will share this too.
Knowing the story behind each piece and having rituals (things I do all of the time) are just a few “secrets” to getting beyond this.
What's this painting’s story?
My friend Diana’s Mom was having major surgery this summer. To encourage her Mom, I thought I’d go visit. I've always admired her funny and caring way. In the back of my mind, I thought maybe one day I would get the opportunity to paint her.
Yes. I see people and think “Wow wouldn’t it be nice to paint that spirit or that personality or that hair.
Anyway, at some point, I do visit again, taking my camera this time. I took pictures on the spot.
These photograph I took told a different story than the one I wanted to paint. The one we eventually used was a photograph from over 10 years ago. It told a different story of a more happier time - before illness. I knew I had to capture that happier time for Diana’s Mom and Dad.
With any client, I try and and stay cognizant of their story. Diana's Mom had always wanted a portrait she said. Now seemed like the perfect time.
When Diana eventually saw the painting --about halfway through, she said, “He is so absolutely perfect. I cried...” I was so elated to hear this because this portrait did not start off "pretty." In fact, this is where it started:
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| Portrait #60 -in progress ©2011 Toni Ruppert 20 x 24″ Oil Painting (on Canvas) |
What should you do next?
Think about someone you care about today. Is there some difficulty or painful situation where a portrait would help? Is there some stressful situation where my art could help?
Feel free to comment or e-mail me at toni [at] toniruppert.com.
