Portraits à la Parisienne
"Olivia"
In The American in Paris Gallery
This portrait of "Olivia" looks like it is pastel, but this is actually an oil painting. Olivia is my niece's daughter. She is as bright as the sun. This painting came out of me naturally as soon as I started painting thinking about family and the future. Olivia has so much energy and loves to cook, paint and visit museums, and is already starting to play the piano. So I was thinking of the life that she is going to have. She loves vibrant colors. Knowing her passion for life and art, as I was painting, I know she would somehow end up finding her way into "The Arts". I intentionally left the canvas showing. Olivia's vibrant portrait in oil captures not only the essence of this little girl's beauty and innocence; it also captures the "intensity" of her passionate spirit and love of life!