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The Interview
I first met the lovely Gina Grogan and her mother, Dara Tancredi, at an opening reception at Juniper Sky Gallery. I saw them
again at the opening reception for my Golden Show in June, 2005, where we first discussed the possibility of a commissioned
portrait of little Gina.
When In interviewed Gina for the portrait, she was a vivacious 12 year old. We talked about many things she likes: her
favorite foods, colors, activities, things that make up her personality. In this process of visiting, she shared with me her
dreams for the future, which entailed becoming a fashion designer for women's clothing.
As we explored this further, I discovered little Gina has a sketchbook of her own, in which she keeps her drawings and
designs for clothing. She showed me her sketches, including a fancy, formal golden dress design one could wear to my Golden
Show! Her sketches also icluded a logo design for her future company, "Universe." Her sketches were detailed,
intricate, full of notes about color, texture, and proposed changes in design including length of dress, etc.
I was very impressed by this young lady: her intelligence, ambition, focus on her dreams. Intrigued by her goals, we
explored a little about what her future would be like as she viewed it. She expressed the desire to have a Mnahattan Loft
apartment, where she would sit and do her sketches (designs for Brittney Spear's attire for the big important events, of course).
She was so detail-oriented, she even made mention of the cappuccino that would be sitting on the table next to her.
I loved her descriptions of her dreams, her hopes, the things she aspires to make come true. I especially loved her
focused vision - her ability to visualize what she wants - the true key to making any dream a reality.
I began the sketches for this portrait with the idea already solidified: I wanted to call the piece "Designing Dreams"
after little Gina's desire to become a designer. My goal was to shoot to capture her at her current age/appearance, doing
what she loves, and surrounded by all that I perceived made up her future dreams.
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The Reference Photos
I took reference photos of little Gina sitting with her sketchbook, drawing and working on her designs. I was not sure what
view of her face would be showing yet, so I took many "mug" shots in different poses and at different angles.
I took some pics of her fantastic sketchbook, including some of her designs which I found delightful and full of magic.
I knew I wanted to include them in her portrait somehow.
Since Gina wanted to design clothing, we visited about what kind of clothing she wanted to be dressed in for the painting
(color, style, etc).
She was a terrific model, and humored me as I took countless photos during the sitting.
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The Preliminary Sketches
The sketch packet I prepared for the Grogans was focused on that one concept: showing Gina surrounded by her dreams. I gave
them several different versions of the same idea.
They liked two of the sketches, (those stacked on the bottom left). They wanted the pose/composition of the upper sketch,
but the facial expression of the larger, face-only portrait. This was the only aspect of the process that mom gave her input
on...the rest was decided by little Gina.
I combined the two drawings to get the larger, rough sketch shown on the bottom right. This was emailed to the client
for their approval before beginning the painting.
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The Painting in Progress
Once the client had given the green light, I started the painting.
Most of my paintings are a struggle to begin with, and then just flow out easily toward the end. Little Gina's painting
was just opposite. It flowed easily and quickly in the beginning, but slowed down as I got to the fine details.
I included her drafting table i the painting, with tiny paintings of the sketches in her sketchbook. The Sketchbook she
holds in her lap has her logo design on it. The genre-type setting of this portrait was meant to give the viewer the feeling
of having walked in on Gina as she is working in her Manhattan Loft...quietly working on her preliminary sketches.
I painted Gina's face three times. Twice on my own, and once after showing the portrait to Gina's mom, Dara. Together
we worked toward a likeness that potrays the seriousnes of Gina's ambitios personality, but with a little hint of a smile
that portrays her warmth and beauty.
The edges of Gina's portrait are painting a solid blue-black, and are adorned with tiny hand-painted 3-D raised metallic
gold twinkles. The stars in the sky we reach for when we dream.
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A Ray of Hope?
My thanks to Gina and Dara for being such fantastic clients. It has been a pleasure getting to know Gina and her family, and
have my painting be a part of their extraordinary art collection. "Designing Dreams" will hang in the family's
new home in Entrada, where they are building a special gallery room to showcase their collection of beautiful pieces.
Now...I am holding onto the hope that little Gina grows up to fulfill her dream of becoming a fashion designer. Maybe
she can design some classy, elegant, fashionable, (or at the very least normal) clothing for me someday --- and get me out
of my painting pants! (ha ha!)
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