More than half way done!
I apologize for having taken so long to post an update. I am back to my full time job, but still painting the portraits every day I can. I am currently working on #17! I have not had a chance to photograph each one, but here a few more:
"Desir" 10"x10" pastel by Daggi Wallace
Desir is the cousin of Wendy (see other blog post about Wendy) and is nine years old. He suffered from malnutrition and TB as so many of the children there. He is such a cute boy, you just want to hug him! Notice the rubber band he is wearing around his neck. That's supposed to be his necklace!
Here is his drawing:
"Desir" 16"x16" finished size by Daggi Wallace and Desir
An update on Wendy, his cousin: I found out that he came to the orphanage from the interior of the country after the earthquake. He had severe TB of the bones ( which I didn't even realized existed!), was close to death and spent 3 months in a hospital.
This next portrait is of Vildarin, who is Vanessa's brother ( the little girl with the braids and chewing gum in the corner of her mouth, seen in another blog post).
"Viladrin" 10"x10" pastel by Daggi Wallace
He is 14 years old and came to the orphanage with severe malnutrition. Their mother was not able to care for the children who were found on the streets.
Here is the drawing that serves as background to his portrait:
"Viladrin" 16"x16" finished size by Daggi Wallace and Viladrin
And this is Youseline, a striking beauty in my opinion!
"Youseline" 10"x10" pastel by Daggi Wallace
She is 11 years old and lost her mother in the earthquake on January 12th. Life was not easy for her before then, either, since she also was suffering from malnutrition.
I love the small, intricate drawings on her paper:
"Youseline" 16"x16" finished size by Daggi Wallace and Youseline
As I am finishing more and more of these portraits I am surrounded by these kids in my studio and I love it! I am learning so much artistically and can't wait to apply it to my other paintings as well. It's impossible not to make strides when painting so many portraits in a row. Since each one is a new challenge I do not get bored at all, which was one of my concerns. I look at these precious faces, remember the kids and try to do them justice. It has been an incredibly rewarding experience and the wonderful emails I have received have been a huge confirmation that I am on the right path. Thank you all for the great support!
