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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

My father

My father, 23 x 30 cm
My father, who passed away two years ago, would have been 92 today.  I painted these two portraits, a couple of weeks apart, from an older photograph. What a satisfying feeling it is to be able to re-create, albeit in a tiny way, the person you miss.
I remember the time as a child when I realized that my parents are not all-mighty gods, but more or less ordinary people. Every child probably has such a moment of revelation. Yet, for me, my dad always remained a kind of a semi-deity. I could discuss with him almost anything, from complex math and science subjects to art and culture. He was my Wikipedia, in the pre-web era. He had a nice, refreshing sense of humor and a fine taste. A true model to aspire to, which all of us, his children, still do.

While from the same photo, the two portraits ended up having two different expressions, both typical of him. In the first one, he is about to crack a joke, and smiling on the inside already. In the second, he's glad and content. So I couldn't pick the one over the other. I'm grateful to my niece for trying to help the selection and for her articulate descriptions.

My father 2,  23 x 30 cm

15 comments:

Rita Vaselli said...

Hello,Blaga.Wonderful portraits of your FATHER,whit watercolors and whit your LOVEly words!

Jane said...

Either way Blaga you made two excellent portraits of your father. I think there is something intimate about painting a portrait, you get to know so very well every part of the face, things you saw a thousand times, but didn't really notice until you put it down on paper. Your father looks like he was a beautiful and good person. xox

Judy said...

Both are wonderful portraits of your father, Blaga! He looks like a kind and loving person! Very good of you that you were able to paint him, and what a nice memory of him!

Barbara Pagliarani said...

Many compliments!!!!Bye, Barbara

Floriana Quaini said...

Ciao Blaga, very, very, very beatiful this painting. Your father now is sitting in my house with his smile...
Really is so natural and espressive.!
I am happy of your words about my
thought of acquerello and I understood that you agree with me...
well, this a good news.
Ciao, con affetto, Floriana

Isabelle said...

beaucoup de tendresse dans ce portrait!!et quelle lumiere!bravo ,blaga

Blaga said...

Thank you, Rita, your words warmed my heart!

That's true, Jane, the experience of painting a portrait goes way beyond just painting.

Thank you for your very nice words, Judy!

Thank you, Barbara!

I am so flattered by your words, Floriana!

Merci, Isabelle!

And I am so happy that my mother liked the portraits! Yay!!!

Unknown said...

These are lovely paintings Blaga and a fitting memory and tribute to your father. My dad was just the same to me. He had that cheeky wry smile, and was the joke-teller and my Wikipedia too!

Tito said...

What a lovely portraits of your father, Blaga. A loving tribute to a person who is always in your heart. Un abbraccio!

irinapictures said...

The face is radiating warmth and love in both versions. Great tribute to your father, great work.

Blaga said...

Thank you very much, Michael! You apparently can relate to my thoughts and emotions.

Thank you, Tito, I appreciate so much your comment.

Thank you, Irina!

JANE MINTER said...

both your portraits of your father are excellent blaga .

Sadami said...

Hi, Blaga,
Really a lovely work. I love this painting so much... Thank you for sharing.
Kind regards,Sadami

Shelley Whiting's art said...

These portraits are very sincere and have a lot of love and care in them. Beautiful and fantastic work.

Blaga said...

Jane, Sadami, Shelley, thank you all for your nice comments!