13/09/2024
Magpie Commission - Christine's Story
I have known Christine and her husband Jason for many years. Christine actually was one of my very first commissions when she asked me to create a painting from their wedding photos as a gift for her husband. It was my first attempt at a portrait using a watercolour base with pastels.
With this current Magpie commission, Christine said she wanted a special piece as a gift to herself in memory of her Dad. Her father was an avid bird watcher, and spent lots of time talking about birds with Christine growing up. She told me her favourite bird of all...is the Magpie. She remembered that these beautiful birds recognise faces, and she felt very honoured that they seemed to recognise her and not see her as a threat.
As she said, "I've never been swooped in mating season....yet."
I spent some time trying to find the perfect reference photo from my collection. Christine had very definite ideas about the image she wanted and this was apparent in the the photo we chose and the background she preferred.
Listening to Christine's ideas and incorporated them in a thoughtful way, was a pleasure, and I was very pleased with the final result....as was Christine when she saw the painting finished.
"John listened to my ideas and incorporated them in such a thoughtful way, if felt like a real collaboration, and the result is perfect. John's level of detail is just incredible. The Magpie's feathers look real and he has captured the way that these beautiful birds look inquisitively at us. The background he has chosen just works perfectly, it compliments the Magpie without stealing the spotlight, it looks fantastic!"
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