This, my original painting from Laura’s photo, is one of my favorite paintings. Within just a few weeks of completing this piece and making it available, the original painting was marked sold and I wondered if I would ever be able to have a copy of it even for myself.
At 18″ x 36″, the painting is massive and took nearly 10 scans at 300dpi, painstakingly pieced together over hours of waiting and praying that my virtual memory wouldn’t crash my system. My critical eye saw areas that needed smoothing, better blending, balance, and when something didn’t match up quite right, I scanned that area again.
It took me several hours, and several Tylenol. The end result is a file. One single huge 90MB file records every little brushstroke that I invested in this Heron.
Finally, I was able to have it put it to print. On canvas, even. Gallery wrapped canvas. It’s not quite the original size, at 15″ x 30″ it’s a few inches smaller than the original painting – but it’s wonderful, and I’m so pleased with how it turned out. It’s not as crystal clear as my painting (of course I’m very critical, it is my work I’m looking at), but it is good. It’s better than any of those other joe-shmoe prints at Target, the quality and durability FAR surpasses any of those.
Of course I had to have one for myself, and it is only right that since Laura permitted me to use her amazing photograph as reference material, she get a print as well.
Now he’s a focal point, of course, right beside the piano, you see him when you walk from the kitchen into the living room and family room. When I pull Chickeymonkey’s hair back in the morning she has two places to turn her head toward while I do her hair. First her eyes are on Jesus (a framed print), and then she turns to the Heron.
“Look at the Heron”, I tell her. And we both do. He rocks.
(I have not decided yet whether this print will be made available to the public.)
{11 Comments}
Interesting, too see it on her wall and on yours. The different wall colors bring out different aspects of the painting. I have always loved this painting.
It is neat to see the color difference isn’t it? Her wall leaves the painting (print) in its more natural color – mine tints it gold. I even changed the color cast on my photo. (Laura’s is a much better sampling of the true colors of the piece.)
Well hello there! Thanks for delurking on my blog. :thanku:
Wow… the contrast IS amazing, isn’t it? I don’t know which background color I like best because both bring out different aspects…
I’ve always loved the photograph, but your painting is so beautiful, Leanne! Whoever bought the original is very lucky! :thumbsup:
Leanne – the heron rocks, but you rock even more! You do beautiful work!
It’s beautiful! I love all of the colors!
Amazing, amazing.
*sigh* just as gorgeous as ever. It’s so perfect on your wall :dance:
May I echo the others… you rock! Leanne, you really did bring this photo to life. It’s my favorite painting, too. Rick had to give me a hug when it came in, because I was crying when I saw it on the wall. I could hug you for this one. 🙂
My walls are a sage green, but the color doesn’t show up well in the photograph. I had a hard time photographing it because of the strong sun light coming in from the glass front door. i tried taking the pic in the evening, but the flash didn’t look so great against the photo. Then I tried at 7 a.m and that worked a little better. All told, I took over 80 pics to try to keep the integrity of the painting so I could post it on the blog. LOL
I like the way it looks on your walls, however. and that gives me an idea for our living room..,…
Wow! He’s gorgeous. I love the way it looks hanging on that wall color!
A heron crossed our path the other day – a rough day – and it made us realize that the day wasn’t bad, and that the day was beautiful after being graced by the heron’s white brilliance!
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