Self portrait - Vivi and Miss Sweetieheart

Self Portrait

20 x 24

Oil on Canvas

$2400.00

I have been working on this piece for a long time.  I first painted the source a few years ago and always loved the position of the little girl, Vivian, and her favorite stuffed animal, Miss Sweetieheart.  Once the painting was done...Vivi visited again and I saw her looking at her portrait...holding Miss Sweetieheart in the same way.  I just love the scene.  I have painted Vivi many times...in ballerina outfits, with sunglasses on, in different costumes...She is a wonderful model.  She takes direction well and always gives me a wonderfully soulful look on her face.  I have had this picture for a long time and I always come back to it...so a few months ago I began.  I wanted it to look like she was in the studio checking out a portrait of herself.  I mocked up a studio scene and placed Vivi and the painting in it.  The painting has gone through quite a few iterations but I am happy with it now. 

This is one of the paintings of Vivi and Miss Sweetieheart.  This one is a tiny 6 x 6.  Happily it found a good home!  

The lesson I learned...the lesson I keep learning is to never compromise.  Keep trying different color combinations, change the composition, be open to whatever the painting needs to be successful.  I worked on this piece on and off for months reworking every part of the piece.  I know there are many who would encourage me to do thumbnail sketches, paint a small sketch of the piece and work out any issues before I begin a painting.  I have done that many times...but find when I begin the larger piece I change my mind.  So I will keep working on my process...keep working on my artwork...

Stay tuned...