Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Paul Guthrie Neilson a portrait painting

Paul the Framer  Watercolor and Color Pencil on Paper 20" x 16"  2003  NFS
This is my late friend Paul Guthrie Neilson.  We used to have our morning coffees together when I had a live/work space in San Pedro, CA.   He was mild mannered, wise and funny and always good company.  When I opened my studio for First Thursday Art Walks, he'd lug his portable piano over and play showtunes.  He was also a talented framer whose services I could never fully afford.  One time he let me do this portrait as partial payment for framing.  About a year after I left CA, Paul died unexpectedly in his sleep.  A mutual friend told me his family displayed the portrait at his memorial.  I'm so grateful I had the chance to know him and I think of him often.

12 comments:

  1. SUSAN RODENOctober 12, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful friend!
    Hope your memories bring many smiles to your lips and thank you for sharing Diane.

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  2. SherryOctober 13, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    Thank you for sharing the tribute and also the portrait. It is nice for artists to share work beyond what we may know you for. In my case the painting a day florals and now kitties. Happy memories.

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  3. Theresa PadenOctober 13, 2011 at 12:10 PM

    What a beautiful portrait of your friend! I hope you will post more of your portrait work :)

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  4. suzanneberryOctober 13, 2011 at 2:33 PM

    diane, i'm blown away by your portrait work! this is not only a wonderful tribute but an outstanding portrait. what a lovely story as well. beautifully done!

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  5. hmuxoOctober 13, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    This is such a beautiful portrait Diane! Your work is amazing...hope you will do another soon!! A definite honor to have this painting displayed at his memorial!!

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  6. Page Pearson RailsbackOctober 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Enjoy looking at your blog..how wonderful that you captured the energy of your dear friend..Nice portrait

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  7. Page Pearson RailsbackOctober 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Enjoy looking at your blog..how wonderful that you captured the energy of your dear friend..Nice portrait

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  8. Page Pearson RailsbackOctober 14, 2011 at 7:56 AM

    Enjoy looking at your blog..how wonderful that you captured the energy of your dear friend..Nice portrait

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  9. myra andersonOctober 14, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    what a magnificently beautiful painting!

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  10. Sonya JohnsonOctober 16, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    What a wonderful tribute to a departed friend in this portrait! I enjoyed reading your memories of him as well :).

    Thank you so much for the blog visit; it's been a while since I've visited, and it was a treat to catch up on your florals and kitty portraits. I will definitely check in more often!

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  11. Karen F. RoseOctober 16, 2011 at 2:26 PM

    Dear Diane,
    One of the characteristics of a great portrait is a sense of immediacy. The feeling that you have just caught a moment and your portrait of Paul is just that. Lovely tribute, lovely portrait and remembrance. Thank you for sharing Paul's spirit with us.

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  12. Shelley WhitingNovember 27, 2011 at 2:12 AM

    A very realistic and amazingly rendered picture. I also love how sensitive and real you made him. A beautiful and touching portrait.

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