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| French River, 15x30 oil, Kath Schifano |
I always like a single commission on my easel, but just one at a time, for when the weather is dreadful or I want to paint late into the night. Having several to do creates unnecessary pressure!
Some paintings take longer than others due to detail or size, how much time I have, or perhaps just my mood.
Commissions usually require working from photos, the better the light, the better the painting. My client brought a strong selection of absolutely brilliant Fall photos from a variety of angles and directions. Her plan is to give it as a gift as this family cabin has been the source of many years of pleasure. As I painted, I imagined their summer activities, using a magnifying glass to create the painting, I observed the benches, burn barrel, the outdoor lights, the combinations of rocks that provide supports and markers. I found windows on the roofline of the boat garage, as well as 'before and after' pictures of the new door. I recall she said it was about 4 hours drive north of Toronto, then a 45 minute boat ride to access the cabin. A long trip, but a spectacular place to be.
This was a pleasure to paint, using vibrant colors, finding the reflections of the opposite shore in the windows, majestic super tall hardwoods. I am so proud of how this oil painting looks, cobbled together from 3 photos taped together, with references taken from several more. I love having a challenge on my easel, this challenge includes everything I like to paint, water and reflections, rocks, trees and a slice of life. While I start my next studio painting, another architecture portrait, this one hangs on my wall. It leaves me soon to become a family heirloom.
French River 15x30 oil, 2013
Why two Paintings? The top picture shows the painting nearly finished, before some areas were adjusted, notably the large yellow tree and the ground of the wooded areas. The second has varnish on it, several months later. I include both so you can see the difference a final coat makes to the colors.
Ms. Schifano;
ReplyDeleteI am the grateful recipient of this majestic painting and I can not explain to you the emotion I felt upon my first gaze. With your precise detail you have captured many moments in time and memories of my life on the French River. As I look at this piece I am drawn into as if I am there. Unlike a photo it beckons me to wander up the boardwalk and rediscover what I have known most of my life. For me there is no more special place on Earth than this. It is hard to define the feelings that surface, maybe it's because I know what's behind those walls and what lies in the back woods. Along the way there have been five generations of family and countless friends that have felt the allure of this Cottage, built by my Grandfather in 1963. It will live on in this painting and as you said will become a family heirloom. I am so glad Shelly found you and I want thank you for understanding the meaning of this place and inserting what you felt into the painting.
Thank You;
Jim Wright
Thank you, Jim, for your kind comments. Our memories are precious, as this cottage is to you and your family. I researched the River on Google and am mightily impressed by the location and the effort that would have gone into building there. Your Grandfather had some amazing spirit to choose to build there and he enjoyed It for many years with the family. It was my pleasure to get familiar with it through Shelly and her wonderful photos and her answers to all my questions.
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