Cody Nicole Greene
 

This young girl was tragically taken from us too soon. In May of 2002, she was murdered by a drug dealer. She was 16 years old. The monster was convicted this past October and sent to prison for life.

Somehow or another, I received a call from her stepfather to do this piece. I was, admittedly, very nervous - but I wanted to at least try and provide her family with something positive as "closure", so her stepdad put it.

I shall be presenting this to the family next week, after framing. My hope is that this piece will remind them of the happiness Cody held while she was with them, and that she still radiates it upon them from Above.

Closeup:

Very nice. I particularly like the idea of a halo of clouds and the space going up to heaven. Was that intentional?

Thank you, Michele. Yes, it was intentional - I'm more than pleased that you noticed!

Really lovely and sensitive portrait, Rob. I am sure her family will receive it with tears of gratitude. Congratulations! It's haunting - I love it.

Garth

Many thanks, Garth. Aside from the gratitude, I really hope it becomes a source of joy for them.

I see that you have recently completd a pothsumous portrait, too. It's an interesting and bittersweet thing to do. You spend so much time thinking of that person, carefully trying to craft life into their image when they are no longer there to give it. Yet, what better way to celebrate a life than to raise it to the level of a timeless piece of art?

I feel proud and honored to have been given the task of celebrating Cody's life.

Im tearing up looking at it, I can't imagine how the family will feel. Beautiful job. Welcome to the forum.

Thank you, Mary. It's true, this is an emotionally wrenching piece based solely on the subject alone.

It was difficult for me to be satisfied with the final. I made some major last minute changes because of this. The piece needed to challenge the powerful sadness of the circumstance and not be subject to it. I didn't want it to be a memorial, so much as a happy representation of life.

I think I got it, but it's hard to say. Even the family won't be able to say so without bias. It was a tough one... but I'd do it again in a minute if it would bring happiness to someone who lost a loved one.

Rob, I think you did a lovely job with this sensitive painting.

A lot of people do not like to do posthumous portraits yet I have found them to be very rewarding. It is true the reference can make it much harder, but the obvious joy to others is so incredible, especially with work like you have done here.

I think you caught a personality that will live on forever. It will be treasurer for all who loved her.

:thumbsup:

I am grateful for your kind words, Elizabeth.

It has been rewarding already - and her family hasn't even seen it yet! Yes, I surely would do this again.

Your portrait has just the right touch of sadness in the otherwise joyful face of this lovely young girl. This only underscores the horror of her death. Beautiful portrait.

Welcome to the Forum.

Rob, you've created a sensitive, wonderful painting. Posthumous paintings are always tough to do and you should be very proud of this one.

I've also painted a murdered teenager, many years ago. I remember that it occured to me at the time that I felt as if I were performing CPR, but clumsily and unsuccessfully.

Your painting will be treasured for years.

Sharon and Linda - I appreciate both of your wonderful comments.

You have all made me feel very welcome, and I thank you. You've also given me the impetus to continue in the field of portraiture with more confidence. I hope to post work of like quality in the near future.

Rob,
Very touching and beautiful. I'm sure it'll bring tears every time they see it.

Thanks, Jimmie - it looks like the unveiling will be this weekend. No doubt there will be a lot of emotion in the room.

Since this is my first commission - and a fairly special assingment, at that - I will report back on how it all went. I just hope that I can hold it together...

Good luck Rob, it's a beautiful painting. My heart is breaking over this too.

Jean

An Angel
 

It appears you have painted an angel with divine inspiration adding to your abundant talent!

Unveiled
 

Just this past Saturday (May 15), I presented the portrait to Cody's family. Needless to say, it was an emotional moment; bittersweet, in truth.

The Jameson Gallery provided me with a great framing job, and they allowed me to unveil the painting there. In fact, they removed a painting so the piece could be viewed in proper lighting on the gallery wall.

I had made the decision a while back to not charge for this painting. Whether or not this seems foolish is beside the point. The only reason I bring this up is because the client insisted on paying for the framing, and Michael - the owner of Jameson Gallery - surprised me at the unveiling. As Cody's stepfather made to settle up for the framing, Michael looked at him and said, "Put away your checkbook; I want you to have this."

It was a wonderful thing.

p.s. - Thanks Jean & Jeanine for your lovely words.... :sunnysmil