Tuesday, January 4, 2011

FAMILY PORTRAIT - Just let it go...

Progression of  a Family Portrait


I started  this painting around a year ago maybe less. I wanted a painting that I could hang over my bed that showed Me and Nelly with  my sisters with there children. It is when we where young and beautiful of coarse!

This will always be a special painting for me because it was made with all my love for them. My family and there kids (And their husbands) are the most special people in the world to me. I feel so bad for people that don't have that family bond. We are not perfect like I said before. We have our arguments. We have a history and we know what buttons to push. But we have learned to let the small stuff go. It is not worth not seeing and talking to each other.  If you have a loved one that you have not seen for awhile because of some dumb fight or stupid thing call them up, forgive them or ask
for their forgiveness and then hold on to them tightly. Make peace.



I painted over a huge painting that I had that I didn't like anymore
Didn't like the faces so I stuccoed over them and started all over
Did the background a bit and started the faces again
More work on the background and faces
Was not sure what I wanted to do with the frame around it. Wrote some words.


I decided that I would rip paper and make a patchwork kind of frame. I smucked it up then with ink and paint

Close up of the patchwork and ribbon

This is the finished painting! I refined everything.

Heidi and her boys Joshua and Kellen
Me and Nelly

Jamie and her kids Isaac and Keely


JUST LET IT GO
Just love them that's all
It's as simple as that...

30 comments :

Unknown said...

Hi Heather
Thanks for dropping by my blog and leaving a comment. Nice to meet you too.

This is a nice piece. I love the faces, they are so sweet. Sure is special, family is special :).

Happy New Year.

Evelyn

Jess said...

Love the family portrait!!!

Diane said...

What else can I say--gorgeous!!

JDConwell said...

Thank you so much for showing the WIP pictures...it's an honor to get to see it develop into such gorgeous work.
Jan

Unknown said...

This is really beautiful and precious. I like how you put details on each element and I think you painted the most gorgeous eyes. How sparkling they look!

This might look like mosaic art from afar :-)

Thank you for visiting my blog. I enjoy reading your process very much!

Sherri B. said...

Heather, thank you for visiting my blog, and for the nice compliment on my poem. I look forward to taking Louise's class with you, too! And this portrait you did of your sisters/family is beautiful! I hope to be able to paint as well as you eventually...I can't wait to learn all the gorgeous techniques of mixed media painting. Thanks again - see you soon!

Jaime Haney said...

I love this, and what a great idea. I'm sure this piece will be treasured forever by all. I see many fights for this one some day.

I agree with you about just let it go. Time is so precious and you never know when your time with someone is over. I wish I had siblings, especially now that I've lost my mother. You are one lucky gal and it looks like you appreciate it :)

Have a great week!
Jaime

Mary Welsh Hubbard said...

I really like it! and it's a great idea.

Heidimc said...

Love it!
You made me cry.

Morph Waffle said...

Wow, this is superb!

Sabrina said...

Hi Heather!

This piece id beautiful, your colours are captivating! Very earthy..
feel free to drop by my blog, I am just getting going and love the concept!

blessings,
Sabrina

Nelly said...

Isn't that the truth! It looks great! Glad you finally got it finished and hung up.

Anne Butera said...

This is such a beautiful and meaningful painting. Thank you for sharing its progression. It will look lovely hung above your bed.

Sidereal Day said...

What a beautiful painting, and such a nice way to honor your family.
Happy New Year to you!

Teddi said...

i give it 2 thumbs up!

Jeanne Fry Art said...

Truly beautiful Heather !

Kristin Dudish said...

Wow - this is gorgeous!!! Such a special piece... I love everything about it :)

xo
Kristin

p.s. I also really enjoyed seeing your process

GlorV1 said...

What can I say...I love it! Great piece. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year!

Michele said...

Some of our best work just needs to be born on it's own time. What a beautiful tribute to your family!

EVA said...

Gorgeous!! What a very special painting indeed!

Julia Christie said...

This is just gorgeous! I am in awe of the process here!

Thank you for this wonderful post and the great message!

Smiles

" M " said...

absolutely beautiful ! Yes you have to love them no matter what . I hear ya! thanks for inspiring me fellow flier ! happy new year! : P

Beth Nicholls said...

Wow that is such an amazing portrait! What a gift for you all
Happy new year Heather - can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for you!
BethXx

Tracy said...

Hi Heather! Thanks for popping by my blog and it's very nice to meet you also! Oh I love this creative piece you did. It's beautiful!

Victoria Page said...

Hi Heather~ I'm so glad you left a comment so that I could find your blog! I love your passion and spirit! I admire that you are telling your story along with showing your WIP. It takes courage to let it all hang it out, baby! :)

Btw, Love the family tribute painting. I'm sure they will all be honored. Colors are so luscious and jungly. Somehow brings me to an early memory of a set of prints that my mom or grandma use to have to these beautiful girls with the big eyes in the '70s. Do you know the ones? And I hope you don't take offense to that because those were early childhood loves.

Anyway, Happy New Year!
--VP

Eden said...

Heather, This is amazing!!! I love that you made something so special from your family bonds and now you get to see it everyday!! BTW...i think the frame is PERFECT...really sets the tone for the painting :D

Norma Soulet (AZArtist) said...

Hi Heather,
Happy New Year To You and Your Family! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a nice comment. I love your art and the family painting is wonderful. Love the way you did the frame too. I just became a Follower of your blog too.
Hugs

Alexandra MacVean said...

Heather, I absolutey love this. What an amazing idea and it turned out fabulous. :)

Unknown said...

I love how you showed the process!

Chantal said...

Heather, your work is really, really beautiful. Lovely portraits. Thanks for sharing your process, its very interesting.