It was the final day in a two-week stay on the Caribbean shore. A return to winter awaited us the following day. Approaching the breakfast buffet, I observed from a distance a young woman who possessed natural beauty even with her face half covered with a pandemic mask. Standing among the mangoes and papayas, Luisa was making her selections when I asked her to consider being the subject of my next painting. She took my website address back to her mother at their table, and I observed from a distance as they considered my paintings online. After a long 45 minutes, they walked back to our table. I rose to my feet to receive their questions and a verdict. They had chosen to entrust me with the opportunity to fill a canvas with Luisa and blumenfest!
The floral spread was for a beach wedding, and the dress was Luisa’s choice. Her home was Munich, yet her English was perfect. I had already stretched the canvas before the trip. Once I returned home, I began working on the portrait immediately, recording the progress and development on my blog. So many blossoms with their myriad of petals were beautiful to behold but extremely difficult to paint. I discovered that painting summer sunshine is a very pleasant way to warm a winter day and it represents Luisa’s warmth as her portrait hangs in our home.
When framing this piece, I floated the portrait above the linen liner so I could continue these elements on all four edges of the canvas. Finally, I chose a silver moulding spattered with a reverberation of the colors within the painting to crown this work of art.