Alina's First

In keeping with the format of my grandson's portrait, Sylvan's First, I did this smaller (6" x 8") companion piece for his sister, my first granddaughter, Alina Rose. One year old already! Again, I wanted to include myself in the portrait to express more than a close up of this special baby, but rather to emphasize our relationship. An exceptionally good natured child, Alina often lights up a room with her smile, although in this painting, she is much more subdued. This pose is taken from a composite of photos taken by her mother while I was reading a picture book. Either Alina had a serious look of concentration as she studied the new book's illustrations, or I had that awkward look of someone in the middle of saying something! She was nearly 10 months old at the time. 

Home

This will always be home, although I haven't lived here for decades. Bought in the 1950s and owned by my dad, I can still go home. But not quite. This is a composite painting, taken from pictures dating from 1957 to 1973. The house and yard never quite looked like this at any one time. Paint and flowers change, shrubs come and go. In fact, the house is now all yellow siding with bay windows.
And yet.........this is the home of my childhood, of my memories. I can always go home.