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What does January mean?

As we come to the end of 2025 the realisation that maybe a painting is more special than a photograph in our super digital world.

It has been years since I have painted a portrait and I have to say it was with trepidation that I accepted a commission to paint this attractive couple. But from beginning to end it has been a delight. The commission was for a Christmas present and has been given, received and loved so I can share my last piece of work for 2025. 

Working on this and seeing it received with such joy and love, made me ponder on the nature of an oil painting. It is not a direct replica of the person or image, it is never going to carry the same near perfection of a photograph but it has something more authentic. It has the work that shows someone spent time contemplating this person, object or place. It is the representation of the spirit of the person, or place. I might be changed to enhance the feeling of time or mood, to pop in what is important and leave out what really does not matter. I have spent years wondering why work so hard painting a landscape from a photo when after all the photo is there. This painting explained why, because a painting is more valuable, it is unique, it is both the idea and craft of the artist, and shows the value the person who hangs it on their wall places in the person, thing or place that it represents. It is so much more than a photo. 

I am not degrading the art of photography, true photography that is art in itself is very important, but painting has a place too. And maybe its time and its process and its longevity is part of that. 

I have been inspired by this painting to work on my next piece that is of two siblings, an older brother holding his baby sister before his prom. So often with a landscape I share the work as it develops, with the portrait I am keeping evidence of it development but, like this work, I think I will keep it completely to myself untill it is finished.      

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