, time for a quick blog before i head out for my printmaking class, where i'm working on a print of the painting i did of pat passlof,last year. it's coming along pretty well-i'll post it soon as i finish it. working on portraits of family members now- ihave three in the works, hard work but really rewarding when i just get someone's likeness. last time i posted a portrait of me and ian but i've changed it since then and i think it looks more like me now -you be the judge.i'm learning so much about portrait paintings and have begun to copy some of the masters styles-great fun, and a lot of inspiration. feeling better now but today i had a full blown panic attack about how we're going to make ends meet until i can retire. poor ian has had no luck getting another job since he was laid off a year ago- no prospects at the moment- and it's very worrying.it seems as if once you're over 40 in today's marketplace, you're thought of as an old codger, ready for the dole.it's so unfair-especially for someone like ian with a giant brain and a ton of experience- the man can do almost anything.but enough about that onward and upward! see if you can tell the difference between the two paintings.trala brigid
I love both of these paintings; but I love your likeness in the one that's not as brightly lit. It captures your likeness beautifully, as well as Ian's. Those dimples! I've always loved your smile.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel about the panic attacks. I experience them too when I think about how I'm going to make ends meet until I'm out of school. Scary feeling... Then I push those thoughts away and strive for that "can do" attitude, but it's not easy at all, to do. At the moment I just try and strive for good grades and enough practice time, and am grateful that I'm learning as much as I am.
So sorry to hear that Ian is having difficulty finding work. You are right, he's a brilliant man with a brilliant mind. Maybe employers are intimidated by that? This society is disgraceful with it's youth-oriented mentality. I'm keeping the best thoughts for both of you, so he'll find his perfect fit.
I hope you guys will maybe consider a trip down to Florida one of these days... I have lots of room and would love to have you as guests if you'd like that. Just something to break up the monotony a bit.
Can't wait to see your newer portraits of the family! You have wonderful subjects to work with. Stay strong, beautiful.
karen my faithful reader- thank you so muchh for all your kind words and support. i love to hear from you-pleasesend me your address again- i want to send you the painting i did of you maureen and william-it's meant for you, and i just unearthed it from a pile of paintings. ian and alex are actually going to florida to mickey mouse land at the end of march.are you any where near there? love, brigid
ReplyDeleteI am only an hour and 15 minutes from there!! I'd love to see Ian and Alex again! Remember I only met Alex briefly when he was only 2 years old. I'll message you my address on Facebook. I remember that painting so well, and actually asked Hilary if she'd take a picture of the charcoal drawing you did of us and email it to me so i could see it again. At the time, she did not have a digital camera. This means more to me than you can ever know. Thank you so much, Brig.
ReplyDeleteTell Ian and Alex that I'm only a quarter of a mile from the beach, and if they'd like to see it, and have a nice home cooked meal, my house is all theirs to use as a stopping point. I'd love to have them. Plenty of room. I wish you could be here too.