A nearly-finished painting of Mr. Femmedem staying home, staying safe.

[femmedem]

A portrait of this time as much as of him. We are anxious, like everyone, about our health, our loved ones, our finances. But at the same time, we're trying to also see it as a rare opportunity to slow down.

[hlthe2b]

1. THAT is really wonderful... There has been a call for Americans to journal during this time

and I suspect there will be a drive to collect some of these writings for posterity.

Your art should likewise be preserved as symbolic and truly emblematic of this time. You are very talented and Mr. Femmedem quite emotive, just sitting there reading. I find it very calming.

[femmedem]

2. Thank you. A number of my friends are playwrights

and they, too, are writing about this historic time. I love the journaling idea. I kept one for years and yes, this would be a good time to start again.

[enough]

3. Your portrait of him is a beautiful portrait of two people, him and you. NT

[femmedem]

5. Oh! Thank you. That is sweet. n/t

[procon]

4. You've done beautiful work in capturing the play of

light and shadows across his face and hand. It seems to highlight his character, and I see him portrayed as an intellectual man of quiet strength. Very nicely done.

Almost missed the kitty. LOL

[femmedem]

6. Thanks! It was sheer luck our cat joined him on the couch. I painted her in as fast as I could. n/t

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. ❤ nt

[femmedem]

21. Thank you for the compliment--and for commenting and keeping us all a bit less alone. n/t

[gademocrat7]

8. Wonderful portrait, femmedem.

Thank you. It is a stress reliever.

[femmedem]

20. I'm glad, gademocrat7. And thank you. n/t

[SnowCritter]

9. Very nice!

My mother was a very talented artist and she worked with many mediums.

Unfortunately, none of that genetic material was passed on to me. I have a hard time with stick figures.

[femmedem]

13. Thank you! It's so hard to know what is genetic and what is having someone to teach you.

I think it is mostly about getting some good instruction. I didn't draw well until I read "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and then something clicked almost instantly. I still had more to learn, but in one afternoon I improved enough to know that if I persisted, I would draw passably well.

I do wonder if my inability to do auto repair is genetic, though.

[PWPippinesq]

10. Beautiful brushwork, femmedem, capturing this quiet moment during a most tumultuous time.

I have turned my 12' x 12' studio, which stands in the middle of my garden, into a tiny house for my son who is self isolating out there. I've turned to drawing rather than oil painting. We got 5 inches of snow overnight. Once that melts and the sun is more warming, I'll be at my easel in the garden.

[femmedem]

11. Thank you. Your son is so lucky you have that space available for him.

My stepson and his wife have lived for a few years in a tiny house he and Mr. Femmedem built, just 20x8. We have Christmas dinner there every year and it is cozy and perfect.

I hope the weather allows you out into the garden soon. 🏡🎨

[PWPippinesq]

14. And, I am lucky that I can look out the kitchen window and wave to him.

it's wonderful to have him near and be able to cater meals and nibbles to him. I'll be out in the garden soon with my son sharing the warmth of the sun - from at least 6 feet. It's so surreal.

[NurseJackie]

12. LOVE!!

That's fantastic.

[femmedem]

17. Thank you, NurseJackie.

I hope you are able to keep in touch with your sister through these times.
The assisted living facility where my mother lives offers video chats now. It helps to be able to blow each other kisses.

[NurseJackie]

22. Thank you...

... yes we've been able to video chat with her. She has an iPhone. She answers calls, answers FaceTime calls, and reads texts that are sent to her. But she does not initiate outgoing communication. I hope she doesn't think about doing it or it's just a bit overwhelming for her to remember how to. We are satisfied that she is getting the best care possible even though it's difficult. Bee staff calls us regularly with updates. The facility is still free of the virus. I think the lock down is working. Thanks again for asking and for your concern.

[GreenPartyVoter]

15. Wonderful light! A very soothing piece, and so special because that's the kind

of family snapshot that memories are made of. My hubby can’t sit down with a book without at least one cat taking over his lap or chest.

[femmedem]

18. Lucky hubby, lucky cats!

This morning I made a point of playing with the cats and a feather wand before checking the news. Art and the animals help so much.
Thanks for the kind words about my painting.

[OhNo-Really]

16. A masterpiece. I love this portrait

You have mastered light beautifully.

Cheers 🥂 to art.

[femmedem]

19. Thank you! I see areas where I am klutzy and don't understand the light

but there are also areas where I'm surprised at how well it's come out. Either way, yes, cheers to art! Cheers even to the areas where I don't know what I'm doing, because figuring it out is part of the joy of it.

[OhNo-Really]

23. Yes.

For me art is a vacation from the cluttered thoughts ping ponging through my forever hyperactive brain 😂

At first on my teeny phone the whole pic was the painting. A bit slow on the uptick probably due to insomnia

I look forward to seeing more of your inspiring art

Namaste
✨✨🙏✨✨

[LiberalLoner]

24. Wow! This is museum-worthy art!

I wish so much I could take a class from you!

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹👍👍👍👍👍👍👩🏼‍🎨👩🏼‍🎨👩🏼‍🎨👩🏼‍🎨👩🏼‍🎨

[femmedem]

32. Thank you! I have a lot to learn before I'd feel ready to teach

but I'm taking lessons from someone who teaches part time at Rhode Island School of Design. I wish you could study with him!

[lunatica]

25. This is a wonderful portrait.

The informality of the pose and the lighting gives the viewer the opportunity to explore and study your husband’s features. You’ve captured his features beautifully and in such a way that your eyes linger there, captivated by the way the highlights and shadows define his features so well, without going into too much detail. Your husband has a very interesting face, lived in, seeming to be enjoying the passage he’s reading and comfortable in his environment. Unaware of being watched, engrossed in what he’s doing gives the viewer permission to watch him. The cat curled up next to him adds to the serene and comfortable relaxed feeling that you’ve evoked. The way you’ve painted his shoulder, arm and hand is excellent. You’ve done a great job with folds and the soft thickness of his clothes and his hands are amazing. I especially appreciate his sleeve from his elbow to his hand, where you capture the subtlety of shadows within shadows. Great job on the intricacies of the human figure and face.

The sofa back, curled around him, evokes thoughts of a favorite piece of furniture welcoming you in it’s embrace, molded to your body for that perfect fit.

I also really like your treatment of the window in the upper right corner where you bring in the architectural straight lines of the window frame and the straight lines of the curtain which breaks up the curviness of the rest of the painting while still maintaining the softness of the fabric of the curtains. The angular lines of the window in the upper corner complement and balance the curving lines in the bottom left, and the curled up cat in the lower right which make the entire painting worthy of being appreciated. The viewers eye has something interesting to see in all parts of the painting which in it’s geometric pattern keeps the eye traveling around the canvas. The treatment of the corners works very well.

I can’t wait to see it when you finish. I really like that you’ve decided to challenge yourself with difficult subject matter. It’s really working! Your talent is flowing out. A gift to all of us. Thanks!

[femmedem]

31. Thanks so much for such a thoughtful and encouraging critique.

I'm glad you found something to like in that upper right corner. I'm wrestling with that section and gave up for the night yesterday when I felt I couldn't understand the warms and cools.

I owe Mr. Femmedem a lot of modeling time! So far he's just working from photos or still lives that he sets up, but he's just about ready to work from a live model.

[OregonBlue]

26. Wonderful. You are a very fine artist.

[3catwoman3]

27. What a charming piece. I get a much needed sense...

...of relaxation looking at it.

As I think I commented in an earlier thread about a different painting of your hubby, I am envious of your talent - I can paint walls.

I do think there must be some genetics involved in many skill sets. I used to play the piano reasonably well, and likely could do so again if I were to put in the effort to practice. I can dance. I play handbells. I have no ability create anything even remotely representational.

To you!!!

[femmedem]

34. I would love to be able to play the piano.

And genetically, I've got no excuse, as my mother played passably well before her Alzheimer's and my father played jazz piano from his teens until shortly before his death.

[guillaumeb]

28. Well done. eom

[spooky3]

29. You are so talented and skilled!!! Thanks. nt

[fierywoman]

30. Oh! How beautiful! I love the composition and the limited palette and how the back

of the sofa seems to hold him protected in light.

[femmedem]

33. Thank you! I love that you get a sense of him being held and protected by the light.

Not that I was consciously trying for that, but I was trying for a sense of comfort and safety.

[Lord Ludd]

35. Two life forms enjoying each other's company.

Has a timeless quality to it. Nice work!

[Harker]

36. What book is he reading?

It always makes my heart soar to see people reading.

[femmedem]

39. The Art Forger by B.A. Shapiro.

Sorry it took me so long to respond. I haven't read it but he's enjoying it.

[Harker]

40. Thanks...

Whenever there's a book or bookshelves, I love to see what they are.

Love your work. Thanks for posting it.

[MineralMan]

37. A lovely portrait of a man I'm sure I would enjoy meeting!

Thanks for sharing it.

[bif]

38. Very nice!