LOCKE FAMILY PORTRAIT

COMMISSION

Oils on canvas.

145 x 90cms.

Helen Locke is married to Tim Jackson, and they are two of my closest friends. This was, however, an entirely professional endeavour. I do not know Helen’s family at all well, but she is very kind, and has been genuine and good to me for the entire time I have known her. I admire her and am glad that she and Tim married.
The most difficult aspect of this work was that I was forced to use four different photographs and merge them together as I painted the piece. This was for a few reasons, but primarily because it was to be a surprise birthday present. This also meant that I had to finish the piece within a two week period, which took some long hours.
I think it was probably the most difficult work technically that I have ever completed – the light varied from shot to shot of course, and I had to adjust the images accordingly.
I believe that I succeeded. I know that the family was well satisfied with my work.
The most powerful feeling that I get from work such as this is perhaps from the knowledge that the final product will last for generations.

One thing I would like to mention though is that the shot of the piece has made the colour of Helen's and her mother's clothes look far closer to each other than they do in reality - my camera sometimes does not reflect colour in my work accurately.