For the last few weeks I have been hard at work on a portrait commission. Apparently, someone at a local frame shop recommended me. Luckily, I had a few paintings in the gallery and the referring framer and the client were able to gauge whether or not I was up to the task. When I delivered his portrait of himself and his wife the client said he "thought it better than he could have ever imagined". I was worried it was not up to the task and now realize a few things I was not aware of before. One such thing is that technical matters are actually very trivial in the real sense- what is far more important is the vision, resolve and expression. Perhaps I already knew that.....? In about 6 months I will contact the client and offer to varnish the painting thus bringing it to it's final appearance. At that time perhaps he may have noticed some little tweaks for me to attend to and I will be happy to address them. A portrait is a serious thing and as a painter I stand by my work for as long as I am able. Kinda cool in that I was not aware of such a commitment option in the past. I kinda thought, "when it leaves the door that's the end of it". That does not have to be the case and it is probably better for the artist that he take the attitude I have.
