Sunday, January 4, 2015

yours truly by Dan Hughes

Portrait by Daniel Hughes - 12 x 12 " oil on canvas
Way back in the spring of 2014, I arranged to have a commissioned portrait of myself done by Kingston artist Daniel Hughes.  I had enjoyed taking a portrait workshop of his a couple of years before.  He demonstrated for the group; it was fascinating watching the portrait gradually emerge. There was no drawing, just touches of tone and colour, sensitively conjuring a form and a likeness.  My 3 portrait sittings for this portrait were a real pleasure. Dan very openly shared about his process while he worked; we enjoyed chatting about art and painting in general.
Dave using his new tool to polish stones
For Christmas I wrapped up the commissioned portrait and put it under the tree for Dave. In truth it was as much a present for me as it was for Dave!  heh heh. Good thing Dave liked it too. He certainly hadn't expected it!
Nova Scotia granite
Another thing Dave received was an Ameritool Polisher.  Dave enjoys cutting and polishing stones.  Thursday(new years day) we were in Nova Scotia; we took a lovely drive in the sunshine out around St. Margarets Bay to Peggy's Cove. He collected some pebbles by the sea. Today he's busy in the workshop shaping and polishing them.  My favourite so far is the oval one on the bottom.

 

4 comments:

  1. The portrait is fantastic Sally! What a wonderful idea to get it commissioned by an artist you admire - nice to be the subject rather than the painter for a change too I imagine!
    Dave's polished stones look great too. There is something lovely about holding smooth, cool stones.

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  2. I'm glad you like the portrait Wendy. I really love it. It's funny, my father didn't know who it was. I couldn't believe he wasn't seeing me in it, because I feel it is really a true likeness of me. But I guess our parents think of us as we were when we were young...not as we are at middle-age. Dave liked it though, and I was happy about that. Sitting for it was a fun learning experience too. Happy new Year!

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  3. Hi Sally,

    A beautiful portrait, and wonderful stones. What a thoughtful Christmas present.

    XOXOXOXOXO Barbara

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  4. Love the portrait Mom and glad Dad liked it too! I bet he's having fun with his new polisher and stones you guys collected. We loved Peggs Cove when we were there. Xoxo

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