Sunday, October 18, 2009

Donovan

Those of you who have been with me for a while know I've painted my 12 year old daughter a couple of times.

Last week, my son, who had been sick with the flu was at his dad's. He was on his way to school when he started feeling sick again with fever and dizzyness. He knew his dad was out of town and his dad's wife was not answering the phone. He called me and I told him to come right over since he was already a block away.

When he got here, he texted his dad's wife who then called him back. She told him to stay with me until his dad could pick him up later that night. I didn't mind but I guess she assumed I didn't have plans. I canceled my trip to help Benny Alba that day and stayed with my 15 year old. I took the opportunity to snap a few shots and I really like this one of him on the couch watching TV. Even thought he's taller than me now, when he's like this I suddenly see a little boy again.

This is a larger piece 24x24 and now that I've done a piece this size, it's time to paint one of my daughter to match.

28 comments:

Manon said...

I Hope your son is feeling better!!
Such a great painting! They're always little in our eyes!!
Hope you had a great weekend Sheila!!

Diane Hoeptner said...

Complimentary colors make for a dynamic presentation, nice job!

Paintings by Irit Bourla said...

I relly like the composition and mood on this one!
You are brave to go this big.
Beautiful piece Sheila.
You are a real Momma the kids are lucky to have you at any time when needed..

Gwen Bell said...

Great mood and composition. I like the way your son is done in very bold strokes and color while the sofa and background are a beautifully soft scrumbled, almost pastel look. This has to be just stunning at such a large size!

dominique eichi said...

great piece ! hope his feeling well soon.

Art with Liz said...

This is a wow painting Sheila. And so nice to have your son all to yourself even if he was sick! Hope he gets better soon. LOL

Autumn Leaves said...

What a handsome guy your son is, Sheila! You caught that look of still needing his mama and comfort too. Love how you dipped the couch cushions from his weight, too. Knowing me, I'd have forgotten that one! Can't wait to see the "sister" piece to this one!

Elizabeth Seaver said...

Sheila! This is a great painting. So sorry he was sick! I hope he feels better soon. I can't wait to see a matching one of your daughter, but I hope she doesn't have to get sick for you to do it!!!

Stephen Dell'Aria said...

another excellent painting and beautifully composed. You add a lot of life to the people you paint.

Dana Cooper said...

Sheila, this piece is outstanding! I can feel the emotional connection to this big/little boy...hope he is better now.

Krista Hasson said...

Lovely painting, great composition, and color use.

Sheila Vaughan said...

Beautiful strong painting Sheila. Your limited palette really helps to convey the mood. Really nice piece.

Michelle said...

Hope he is feeling better now. It's a wonderful painting and it's a great idea to capture their portraits now at this age.

-Don said...

You've captured that "mommy I don't feel so good" essence perfectly. Well done.

Celeste Bergin said...

There is nothing like the comfort of a good couch and a tv and Mom ...when you're feeling low. You've captured that. Great job!

Unknown said...

There's so much of a "mother's love" in this painting me thinks. Great painting. I can see why your daughter wants a painting by her mom, too.

suzanneberry said...

Amazing painting Sheila!! And the one before it, just extraordinary! Great work, bravo! Hope your son is feeling better! hugs

tonypetersart said...

That's a really great piece, Sheila. I like it's mood.

Maria Kovalenko Leysens said...

Your style has translated well in a larger size. Nice work and again, you have captured the feeling of the subject. Hope he is better...

Unknown said...

Very nice painting! I hope your son is better by now.

Dean H. said...

This came out very well, Sheila! Love those strong, directional brushstrokes. It charges your canvas with excitement!

Cynthia Pittmann said...

So true, when our children are ill, they look so vunerable and young. What a lovely sensitive painting, Sheila. Thanks for visiting me at Oasis and leaving a comment. I hope you do get the book.

Catherine Jeffrey said...

I really like the color combinations. You are so right, when they are sick, they look like little boys again. My 21 year old does the exact same thing when he is sick. He becomes "one" with the couch. Wonderful painting.

Dean Grey said...

This is really quite excellent, Sheila!

I love the facial expression on Donovan's face and the slightly curled up body language.

Nice use of color too!

-Dean

artbyakiko said...

I love this paining! Hope your son is feeling better.

Paula Villanova said...

Your paintings of your kids are so special and interesting. I love the poses and expressions you captured...real life!

Edward Burton said...

Sweet painting, Sheila - well done.

Paul Coventry-Brown said...

This is a really nice composition and you really captured the expression of your poor son.