"Miss Claire"
"Miss Claire" was my first painting for an Omaha Symphony ASID Designers Show House, a yearly fundraiser for the symphony of Omaha, Nebraska, hosted by Omaha Symphony Guild. Claire was the daughter of the family who donated use of their home. The home was decorated by interior designers and then opened for a month of public tours and gala events. My 28 x 18 pastel was displayed in the formal living room, the room designed by Marilyn Hansen and her team from the Designers. Hansen asked me to use red or dark blue in the painting. ASID is the American Society of Interior Designers.
Claire's parents requested a formal, classic portrait, one with a simple dark background. They preferred Claire to have serious expression, to reflect her thoughtful personality. To contrast with the thoughtfulness of her facial expression, I painted a childlike gesture in her small hands. In portraiture, a three-quarter pose is one in which the figure is painted to include the arms and hands, sometimes almost to the knees.
I painted again for each Showhouse in 1999 and 2000. I enjoyed helping with the projects, since music is a delight and comfort to me while painting, as it is for most visual artists.
1999 Omaha Symphony ASID Designers Show House: "Pamela" pastel displayed in library sitting room
2000 Omaha Symphony ASID Designers Show House: "Christina" pastel displayed in French Country bedroom
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