This portrait is a bit less ukiyoe-looking and more contemporary than the others I did this month, but it still retains a bit of a woodblock print feel to it; more of a contemporary bijin-ga than an editorial or illustrative piece, I suppose. This one is just a straight portrait, with no meaning behind it, but it was fun to do. Despite not being so old-Japan-looking, it does retain a lot of elements from bijin-ga, such as the cherry blossoms, and simplicity. In case you’re wondering, that’s Philadelphia in the background.
It was done for an old friend, who I promised years ago I would do a portrait for, and after a computer problem last year wiped out her original portait as it was about 95% done, I finally repainted it.
There are a bunch of cherry blossoms along the Schuylkill River in Philly, and they’re a common subject in my paintings. This one isn’t part of the 100 Famous Views of Philadelphia, but I suppose it’s related.
Thank you.
I didn’t paint the same picture the 2nd time actually. I wanted to stick with the feel of the previous 2 portraits I did, and I actually like this one better than my original, although it was interesting in it’s own way.
Your friend must be thrilled. I’m sorry you had to start over. Did you use the same image? (Just curious.) I like the hues and you captured her smile beautifully.