The Blessing

I was inspired to paint this portrait because of the back story of the subject and her baby. Involved in a motor vehicle accident early in the pregnancy, the life of the baby was at risk and the mother (an extended family member) was required to be hospitalised for a long period and then wear a brace through most of the pregnancy to support serious fractures. The reference was taken by a friend (@georgiapoortinga) and shared on social media after the birth. I reached out and asked whether I could make a painting from it because it meant so much to see the wonderful outcome of what had been such a precarious journey. Both subject and photographer were willing.

Having printed the reference, I made some changes in the background that brought the subjects more into focus. I gridded up the reference and correspondingly the panel on which I painted, enlarging it somewhat. I did this in order to be as accurate as possible. I painted the whole in oils and then went over the initial layer, refining.

Joyfully, the painting was purchased by the young lady's parents and is now in her possession, even though we live on on opposite sides of the earth.