YL Duncan, Part 8
Posted By Carrie L. Lewis on May 3, 2008
I missed my self-imposed deadline by one day, but Duncan’s portrait is now complete, finished on May 1, 2008.
As often happens, when it came down to the final painting session, all that was required were a few brush strokes here and there to finish the portrait.
This past Thursday, Neal participated in a special band event at Valley Center High School. Valley Center is just south of Newton and the high school band director, Mr. George Naylor, is also a member of the Senseney Music Wichita Community Band, where Neal also plays on a regular basis.
Every year, the school hosts a mass band concert that includes performances of the fifth grade through high school bands and concludes with a group performance of all bands.
Neal is not an alum of Valley Center, but this performance marks George’s last year with the school and some friends and others had commissioned a piece of music to be played in his honor by current and past students and friends. Neal was part of that ’surprise performance’ tucked into the schedule.
I am always in awe of musicians, who spend hours practicing their craft, then get up in front of people and perform live. I have often told Neal I’m glad I don’t have to do that, but I have to confess that when everything is right and the audience rises to its feet cheering, shouting and applauding, it has to be a huge rush. The immediate feedback of a good performance has to be very satisfying.
The mass concert was one of those times for me. The bands were great and the high school band, which recently earned 1s and 1+s in Branson, Missouri, played Shenandoah as well as I have ever heard it played.
Then the whole band got together to honor George Naylor and that was absolutely awe inspiring. The event concluded with a combined piece called Fidgets in which students and alums played together. That group was so large, both high school directors conducted and band members stacked the bleachers behind the band floor. Awesome!
It made me wish there was some way to move audiences that way myself.
Well, God is good and has provided just such a thing.
I received two emails from the contact person for the portrait of Duncan and she relayed to me the responses of Duncan’s girl and other members of the family. Without going into specifics, I can truly say that I am moved by their responses to my work. Duncan’s owner, in particular, has endured the exquisite pain of losing a long-time pet and companion.
It is my most earnest prayer that this portrait will be a constant and enjoyable reminder of that faithful friend and of those many years of fonder memories in the years to come.
To that family, I pass on my gratitude for the opportunity to paint Duncan’s portrait. Thank you so very much.
I am a self-taught artist for the most part. Lots of trial and error in the past forty years! Formal art training consists of a couple of years of high school art, a painting class at a community college, one semester in the Fine Arts program at Abilene Christian University and a couple of local workshops.
I am always looking for ways to better my artistic skills, so I am a permanent student in the School of Trial and Error. I love reading and have been known to spend hours online researching materials and techniques. As a result, I've painted in several different styles, including the direct method (which goes straight for the color) and Classical methods (which involves underpaintings, layering and glazing).
I have exhibited paintings in locations such as Lone Star Park Race Track, Grand Prairie, Texas and Remington Park Race Track, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since the early 90s, I've worked with the Michigan Harness Horseman's Association, donating custom portraits to their annual benefit auction.
In the course of maintaining a growing art business, I have taught myself web design (a skill that will no doubt prove to be a continual learning experience).
I also enjoy puttering around the yard, chasing trains with my husband, Neal, travel and, of course, looking at horses whenever they appear on my horizon.
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