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Me painting my Uncle Ron. This was inspired by his funeral photo taken when he was 70, he passed away at 90. I thought it such a beautiful depiction of a powerful, loving man. His daughter's cockatoo, named Boysie, had landed briefly on his shoulder when this photo was snapped. This is a man I remember with love, bear hugs and so much laughter, he was my father's best friend. I remember their hilarious stories of the characters in the King country I swear, Uncle Ron died laughing. They don't make them like they used to.
Me painting my Uncle Ron. This was inspired by his funeral photo taken when he was 70, he passed away at 90. I thought it such a beautiful depiction of a powerful, loving man. His daughter's cockatoo, named Boysie, had landed briefly on his shoulder when this photo was snapped. This is a man I remember with love, bear hugs and so much laughter, he was my father's best friend. I remember their hilarious stories of the characters in the King country I swear, Uncle Ron died laughing. They don't make them like they used to.
My Dad | Kenneth William Goodwin 1917 - 2009
While I was painting Uncle Ron, my dad the youngest of four brothers, would look longingly at it and it was obvious he desperately missed his best friend. I would bring my unfinished painting over to my parent's house throughout the process as I value my mother's artistic expertise. She was the equivalent to Photoshop in her day, colouring, enhancing, fixing and treating black and white/sepia photographs; not to mention the fact that she is a fantastic artist. I finished Uncle Ron and was getting him ready to be framed and Dad held the canvas on his lap, Dad by this time is now nearly 92 (ex WWII vet in Guadal Canal), he looks at Uncle Ron and breaks down. Despite the fact that he still drives, still an incorrigible flirt with that gleam in his eyes, I realise then just how frail he's become.
Soon after I start painting from a photo of my father with my dog Ringo, (maybe my niche market could be mature men in checked shirts with their daughter's pet) - funny! I take a couple of weeks leave from work to paint, as I needed to know if I really can, Uncle Ron being my first significant piece. From my first day of leave, dad becomes unwell and is admitted into hospital, he's there for two weeks, then a decision made to private care. I bring in his unfinished portrait with Ringo and he says, "it's lovely" in a whisper as his once clear, melodious voice is all but gone.
He passes away peacefully six days later in my mother's arms, needless to say I can't look at the painting, let alone continue working on it without leaking. So this piece remains unfinished . . .
Original photo of Dad & Ringo
Ringo | 1979 - 1990 | "Long dog, tall dog, all dog, Ringo dog!" Poppa
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