Caitlin

I rarely paint from other people’s photographs, but when I saw this photograph of Caitlin Duffy, taken by her father, Bob, I knew I had to paint it. Caitlin is such a beautiful soul, both inside and out.

Cailtin Duffy by Bob Duffy

Bob truly captured her timeless beauty in this beautiful photograph.

This is not a commission. I saw the photo and was compelled to paint her. I also feel that she will lead me on my next journey. (I don’t know where she’ll take me, I only know that I must go.)

The canvas is huge. (It measures 72″ tall by 48″ wide.) I was pleased to discover that it wasn’t too hard to get it up the two flight’s of stairs to the studio, and very grateful for my husband Dwight’s help in transporting it.

Here’s the start of the sketch. It’s not her…yet.

Caitlin Sketch (Day 1)

I’ll post pics as I progress…

Day 2 (October 12)

I wasn’t sure I had the energy  for her today. I had early morning appointments and  didn’t get to the studio until 9:30 a.m. I put on a Bocelli CD, and I didn’t come up for air until almost 1:00 p.m. I guess I had more energy than I thought.

Normally my landscapes do not contain people and my portraits do not contain landscapes. Today I made a conscious decision to merge the two  genres. This is new territory for me… stay tuned

Caitlin (Day 2)

Caitlin Day 3 (October 14)

Today’s painting session was quiet and contemplative. Most of my session was spent on her dress.

Caitlin (Day 3)

Caitlin Day 4 ~Face 1st Draft

Caitlin Day 4

(October 22)

Today  I decided to get lost in the music of Loreena McKennitt and visit Caitlin again.

It was a magical experience. As her face came to life, images of her parents and brother merged with her likeness.

(No, I don’t use any altered substances to get in the zone. It just happens to me naturally!)

I focused primarily on her face this morning. I had a feeling it would take all of my energy and it did.  I know I’ll make many adjustments to her features in the sessions to come. For now though, I must leave her alone until she dries. There is no rushing this work and that’s OK with me.  I am truly enjoying this journey.

Day 5 (October 28)

When I arrived at the studio this morning, I wasn’t sure I could paint anything. Sometimes I let comments from others get me down and I lose faith in myself. And though I was sad, I knew I must paint. So I picked up the brush and looked around at my work in progress. Which one should I hang out with today? The tree? No, too much to sort through there. The sock monkey? No. I wasn’t feeling it.

Caitlin? Yes. Caitlin was calling me again. Encouraging me to complete the first statement. After a few strokes I got lost in the painting and my trepidation vanished.

I came close to completing a first statement. (I still haven’t addressed her purse and part of her dress but I just needed to stop.) It’s a good foundation.

I’m glad I pushed past my inner critic.

Caitlin 10/28

Days 6 and 7 (November 1st and 4th)
Most of the painting session was spent tidying up the composition. For example, I simplified her hands so that they’ll be folded in to one another once I’m done. I also noticed that the rhythm was off so I deleted the tree. (It looks great in the reference photo, but I changed so many background elements that it wasn’t working any more in the painting.)

I still have not decided if her purse will have a strap, but I will make sure she has her jewelry intact by the end of the painting. I feel it adds to the composition.

Caitlin 11/4

These were both “thinking” painting sessions . I’ll be able to play next time I approach the canvas. I can’t wait!

Day 8, November 10
I was wrong about the play day. I’m still working out the mechanics of the piece. Oh there was play involved but I still spent time adjusting the composition.

I have decided that she needs the shoulder strap of the purse. It adds wonderful tension to the composition. I’m also keeping the earrings as they add a playfulness. I’m still not sure about the necklace…

Anyway, today’s focus was her dress with a little bit of work on her skin. I started the session with very little energy and left charged. Now that’s a good painting session.

Caitlin Day 8

Day 9, November 16th
I loved the background but it was competing with Caitlin and we can’t have that! I spent the session creating more neutrals and space in the background. And then I added a bit more ultramarine blue to her dress. I was a fun session.

Day 10, January 7, 2011
Well this may be day 10 of painting but it’s been months since I’ve worked on her. I just wasn’t in the mood for her until today. If the painting was a commission I would have found a way to motivate myself. Since this is something I am doing for me, I just waited until she spoke to me again. She talked a lot today.  It was a 5 hour painting session.

The background was still competing with her form. The v-shape bothered me so I toned it down further. I worked the entire canvas today, making sure all the color notes were playing well with each other.

What’s left? I ‘m thinking all I need to do it give her  bit more form/definition to her limbs, finish her dress, and the I’ll sign her.  I’ll post one more pic when I’m done. Thanks for staying with me on this one. It’s been a long yet rewarding journey.

Caitlin Day

Caitlin Day 10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 27, 2011

I’m done! Funny how things come together all at once. I woke up this morning and suddenly I knew the lyrics to a melody that’s been in my head for the past two weeks. (The song is all about how the day will be wonderful.)

I wanted to stay home and work on my music it but I’ve a ton of pressing things at the studio. So I recorded the lyrics, hoping to get back to them tonight. On my way out to the car, I spot a rainbow right over my house.

A rainbow! Now that’s just cool because it’s not been raining. In fact there was only one cloud in the sky.

I get to the studio and somehow I know I’ll be able to finish Caitlin. And it’s fitting because she is as beautiful and as magical as a rainbow. It is indeed a good day. Oh yeah, I’ll get the song done tonight.

Thanks for hanging in here with me on this long journey.

Caitlin

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