A Little Family Time
Since I have mentioned my family so much in my blogs I thought I’d introduce you to one of them. I’d like you to meet my daughter, Christina, who keeps her mom and I on our toes. This girl does not miss a thing. She has a tenacity and a wit about her that sometimes makes my hair curl. To go with that she has one of the biggest, kindest, most gentle hearts in the world. Her observation skills totally floor me sometimes, and I can always count on an honest, yet loving, opinion of whatever painting is on the easel.
As soon as she was born and I saw her beautiful new-penny colored red hair I started calling her “My Little Coppertop”. A friend of ours loved this nickname so much she had those words embroidered – in copper – on a beautiful white baby blanket.
The look you see in this painting is one I get from her all the time, usually reinforced with “Oh Dad!”. As you may have figured out I love my baby girl…
My Little Coppertop – 5″x7″ – Acrylic on canvas – Completed 12-11-09
©2009, Don Michael, Jr.
This is the smallest canvas I’ve painted on in nearly three decades. I started with black gesso as my base coat and using my trusty palette knife got busy applying the paint. I was wondering if the palette knife would work on such small scale and was pleasantly surprised that it all held together pretty well. It probably helped that I did not texture my base coat at all on this one. Any texturing came with the application of paint. I had so much fun that I imagine more of these will be coming in the future.
My new challenge will be seeing if I can keep Christina from seeing this before Christmas. If so, it will be wrapped up and waiting for her Christmas morning.
What a wonderful gift! you can sense her personality in this painting so clearly. She has beautiful eyes. Won’t your other family members want paintings too?
You may be creating expectations with this painting. Are you planning any others? 5 x 7 is a pretty small surface for a palatte knife. Do you have smaller knives to adjust to the size? I’m amazed you can get this much detail on such a small canvas. I went through a period where I painted with the palette knife and I quite enjoyed the freedom of it. It’s the only way I sm able to fill up a large space. You’ve already critiqued one of my palette knife paintings! It was a landscape with the troublesome land in the
background and those pesky trees.
A beautiful painting–love the cropping. She has knowing eyes. She reminds me of my grandson who inherited my red hair.
Don, I was thoroughly impressed with your very thoughtful participation in Kathy Cartwright’s discussion about how and why we artists arrived at this way of thinking and painting. I am blown away by your art. This painting of your daughter is very powerful and I can see all the qualities that you described when you wrote so lovingly about your much-loved child.
Ahhh… she’s beautiful! And, from your description, very much like her father
You are fortunate, indeed, to have such a lovely daughter and she’s fortunate to have you as her dad. You did a great job with the knife on such a small scale; not at all easy to do but you’ve mastered the technique. What a great gift.
Robin… Thank you so much. I’m glad her personality comes thru. Luckily, she has her mother’s eyes. I anticipate doing one of these of all three of my children before it’s over.
Margaret, Yes, more are on the way. To be perfectly honest, I have only used one palette knife on all my canvases, so far. I’ve experimented with others, but I like my little cheapy one the best. I’d say you pulled off using a palette knife quite well. I had not realized the painting I critiqued had been created so.
Hallie, Thank you. Those eyes do not miss a thing. AT ALL! We all know that if we can’t find something to ask Christina. If it is visible anywhere in the house she will have seen it…and remembered exactly where.
Mary, Thank you for your generous comment regarding my participation in Kathy’s torturous existential adventure. It was a lot of fun. I’m really glad you enjoy my art, especially this painting of my baby girl.
Kathy, Thank you… I think so, too. Her mom always accuses her of being “just like your father!”.
I really enjoy working with the knife and keep trying to introduce new challenges. Who knows what may come next??? I honestly don’t…
-Don
Don, simply beautiful and I truly sense you have captured your beautiful daughter’s essence…I can see it in the eyes. As I was reading this, before I got to the end, I thought she will treasure this painting all of her life. To find out that you are giving this to her for Christmas. Perfect!
~Kathleen
Precious, just preciuos, Don. And priceless. Baby Girl! As her mother, what are Laura’s thoughts? What a delightful present for her. You captured her Daddy’s love in her eyes – too and from. I hope you’ll post her reactions!
Thank you, Judy. Laura’s response was, “she’s SO cute!”. I’ll let you know her reactions. Merry Christmas! -Don
Kathleen, Thanks for the great comment. I absolutely LOVE it when she gives me that look. -Don
What a precious child !! She will be SO PROUD of her painting.And I agree with Kathleen, “coppertop” will always treasure this loving gift.
Alston, Welcome back! I missed you.
Thanks for the great comment. I can’t wait to see what she thinks…Just 8 more days… -Don
Don, I absolutely LOVE this painting! It is one of my favorites. BEAUTIFULLY done, just amazing. I love the application, the colors, it gave me goose flesh. And your love for your daughter is equally as beautiful, as is she. Happy Holidays to you and yours my friend.
Her eyes do look very wise. Thank you for sharing her with us! I hope you’ll have a camera ready on Christmas day to capture her expression when she sees it!
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!
Suz, Thank you so much. Your comments always mean a lot to me… And I got this comment with caps included!!! You must like it!
Deborah, She is a wise one… or is it wise ass?
Christmas morning without a camera present is considered sacrilege around here.
-Don
She’s such a pretty girl! I think it is gorgeous!
Celeste, I think so too… Thanks! -Don
Fantastic!!! I love the warmth and expression you’ve captured. This is a gem, and she’ll love it! absolutely beautiful.
[...] week I posted a painting I did of my 11 year-old daughter,”Christina“, which I plan to give her today for Christmas. I knew that Christina did not read my blog or [...]
Coppertop not only shows the eyes of a loving daughter but also the love of the creator of the painting to the subject. This is wonderful, Don! Ain’t those small 5x7s a kick? That’s been my primary size for several years…love it! Now you make me want to try my painting knife!
Merry Christmas to the Don Michael, Jr family!
Dean… Thank you so much. I’m glad the love shows thru. Yes, I’ve been enjoying these smaller canvasses and plan to do more of them. I can’t wait to see what you come up with using your knife. Have fun! -Don