Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

I had to choose the title of this thread carefully, lest someone think I'm talking about using Photoshop to alter a photo with the intent of making it appear as a painting. That is not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about an artist -- in this case, a painter -- using a photo as inspiration for a painting.

I come from a rather large family -- eight kids, five girls, three boys. Each has some talent that makes him or her unique. Three of my sisters express themselves in art -- two paint, and one does thread painting. (Thread painting is fascinating and very intricate.) I am flattered whenever one of my sisters wants to use one of my photos as inspiration. Each has done this several times, and I'm always impressed with the results.

Within the last few days, one sister sent me an iPhone photo of a painting she just finished. The inspiration was one of my photos of a wading Snowy Egret. It is probably my favorite photo of a wading bird. I'll show the original photo, plus my sister's interpretation of it. I'm not bothering to check "store original", for these.

This sister has a certain style that has defined her paintings through the years. Back in about 1976, I asked her to paint a portrait of Eric Clapton, using the inside of the Derek and the Dominoes album as a model. I still have it, hanging over my desk. She concentrates on the mood of the painting, and, in doing so, will eliminate some things, and change others. (The painting of Eric Clapton is more brooding than the original photo.)

The original.


The artist's interpretation.

artBob Loc: Near Chicago

Definitely painting, not "coloring." That is a compliment. Your sister's work shows a lot of energy, which is revealing both of her personality and an interpretation of the photo. We humans tend to see the photo as beautiful and serene. You ever been really hungry? That bird, heart-pumping, is on the lookout for food. The "calm" waters we see are bustling with life. Your sister's work is an honest piece of art, and "painterly," as it should be.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

ArtBob -- thanks. Adele would appreciate the comments.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Please tell your sister she's got a new admirer. The whole painting is fine, but I especially like the loose handling of the bird's reflection. Hope this means you're going to have to keep shooting like you shoot so she gets more material from which to work.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Cany143 -- My sister certainly appreciates your comments. I'm always giving her material to work with.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I would take her use of your photo as a model the very highest of high compliments.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks! I am always honored when one of my sisters chooses one of my photos as inspiration.

Stephan G

I second the motions. It is extremely difficult to take ownership of a photograph and convert it into one's view in a panting. It was accomplished very well.

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Thanks, from my sister!

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

The photo is very nice. I like how you sister used the photo as inspiration, but did not copy it. She added texture and color that might not exist in the original; but look great in the painting. My compliments to both photographer and painter. Both of you are artists.
Erich

Anvil Loc: Loveland, CO

Wow! Thanks very much, from both of us!