2022

Kam and Gabriella are dear friends of mine and my wife. Last fall, Gabriella commissioned me to paint a family portrait as a surprise present to Kam for her birthday or any nearby holiday. It was the kind of commission I like, to be rendered, she said, in "your own inimitable Janet style." I started right in, using iPhone photos, but soon realized how challenging it was to paint portraits of close friends whom I see frequently, in a way that they'd actually like ! Also, for years I've painted non-figuratively. I finished the painting after New Year, got thumbs up from Gabriella, and we finally presented it to Kam, who let out a whoop of surprise and delight. I wiped my brow in relief.