I stepped outside my comfort zone to try to bring to canvas my mentor, Bert Seabourn, an internationally renowned expressionist. I wanted to evoke the vibrance he brings to his own work and the kindness in the face of the man himself.
To keep him company, I took one of Bert’s favourite symbols, the kingfisher. The kingfisher is a medicine animal of great importance to the Cherokee and Bert puts them in his own paintings as a symbol of boldness, courage and skill. So the colours of the kingfisher dominate the painting, their wings extended in pursuit of their purpose – elegant and swift, with an uncanny accuracy. A single bird sits quietly on his shoulder.
Ultimately, the success of a portrait is in not only in the likeness, but in capturing the personality it is meant to represent. I hope I have achieved that, because it would be the best way I could honour the teacher who nudged me toward boldness through his generous nature, his courage and his skill.
Very nice!
Thanks, Kinsey!
wonderful colours 🙂 love the wings in the background 😀
Thanks! I am not usually that colourful so it was definitely a challenge for me!
What an interesting and colorful portrait. The Kingfisher on the shoulder and the feathers in the background are whimsical and meaningful as you have described. I’ve tried to captured The Kingfisher with my camera but my results were not satisfactory. Your painting it into the portrait to signify a personality is perfect.
Thanks, Arti! All the colour is certainly out of my comfort zone.
I would have commented sooner, but I kept seeing this gorgeous piece and thinking I already did comment, weird. But I think this happened because it works, it’s perfect, it speaks and fleshes out what already was there in your charcoal sketch and words of your previous post, so your finished painting gave me ultimate deja vu.
Thank you so much! 🙂
I posted it on FB first which I never do because I wanted Bert’s family and friends to get a look as soon as it was done. Bert and his wife have seen it live and were pleased. So that’s probably why you’ve seen it before!
You have captured Berts smile and his eyes on canvas. I like your colors and the Kingfisher on Beets shoulder. Sharon.
Thanks, Sharon!