White Shirt and Tie

White Shirt and Tie   watercolor   8.5 x 6.5

As I look over the images of my many paintings, I am drawn to some in particular. Painting from a live model can provide the ultimate of human experiences....a true communion with another individual. Robert reminded me of an era gone by, the era of my parents. Great dignity. Work Ethic. A White Shirt and Tie. Years later, Robert's wife Violet called and had saved up enough money to buy the painting. When I delivered it, I was treated to their life experience.....gardens and plantings inside and out, each with a story. In fact, Robert had written a book about his gardening and the trusty spade that he had used throughout the years. When I look at the image today, I realize that I gained so much from the painting (verb) of Robert. Dignity.

Beauty

White Shirt and Tie   watercolor   8.5 x 6.5

I am surrounded by beautiful faces! ....faces that emit energy, kindness, courage and honesty. Nothing makes me sadder than a person who doesn't recognize his/her own beauty. We are conditioned to find fault, I guess. I know for a fact that my own notion of beauty is quite broad, I guess in my attempt to counter the beauty-definition of the media. Robert Plummer is such a person of beauty. He posed for our group many years ago in his white shirt and tie, the mark of respect from his own generation. Years later, when he and his wife bought the painting, I had the opportunity to visit his magnificent gardens.......a quality hidden beneath the white shirt. Now, when I look at the portrait of Robert, I smile.............I see dignity, a love of nature and a drive.............all are gifts to me, and, I hope, to him.