My Nieces

Scarlett Vaughan

2007

acrylic on canvas

16" square

commissioned by Melanie Vaughan

In the summer of 2007, my sister Mel commissioned me to paint portraits of my two nieces, Savannah and Scarlett Vaughan, for my brother-in-law Zach's 30th birthday.

Now, when working with such precious subject matter I have to say the inspiration for me is right at the surface.  I love my nieces (all of my nieces and nephews for that matter) so much.  I spend a lot of time with them and we have a true bond.  All my nieces & nephews are like my "other kids"--the ones that I didn't have to give birth to but get to reap the benefits of.

I decided to paint the portrait of Scarlett, who wasn't even one at the time, using a palette knife and tons of pink because that's just her.  When I finished the portrait something just wasn't right about her.  The giant brown eyes were spot on but what was the problem?  Her mouth.  Right.  I used the palette knife to literally cut the two sides of her mouth clean off (not to sound Nip/Tuckish or graphic) and that was it.  Her perfect little rosebud mouth was reborn in my portrait of her.

Savannah Vaughan

2007

acrylic on canvas

16" square

commissioned by Melanie Vaughan

Next was the portrait of Savannah.  Savannah is the essence of "princess".  At almost 3 years old, the child was ALWAYS wearing her princess crown.  Even to sleep in.  It was so cute and also, so her.  How at 3 years old does someone already have such a strong character?  It was amazing to me, made more so by the fact that my own daughter, Carter, was never into princesses.  I chose to paint Savannah (Peenee is her nickname--however the hell you are supposed to spell that) using small brush strokes and using a lot of purple in her skin and in the background.  Savannah's amazing bedroom is one of those shades of purple.  Sometimes I do not go a realistic colour route when painting eyes, skin and hair.  For some reason I did chose to paint the Vaughan girls with their big, brown eyes.  Sometimes the "real" thing is a necessity, sometimes it's not.

Remember too, I'm painting my interpretation of a person.  I'm not a realist.  I'd love to be but just don't have the patience.  While I can paint and draw completely realistically, but it's just not my "thing".  Ya dig?

xx

J