Happy However After

Happy However After

14" x 17", oil on Bristol board, 2020, private collection.

Much like the situation with my Sleepy Fox painting, this one was also done for a family member's birthday. My brother-in-law, Tim, reached a milestone (it's on the jersey), but, since everyone has to stay away from each other because of the pandemic, he could only share the special day with his wife and two kids.

I loosely based my still life on "Still Life on a Table" by Willemsz Heda from around 1644 (though, I basically just used the table, tablecloth, and the light-coloured fabric that's now underneath the baseball glove). Then I added a bunch of his favourite things* in a satisfying composition –all intended to put a smile on his face the day he turned 40. And it worked! He'll get the painting itself when it's dry (and safe) enough to send to Ottawa.

Happy birthday, Tim!

Here's a time lapse video of this painting's creation:

*incidentally, this is the second time I've painted two bottles from Steam Whistle Brewing and a glass full of their beer.

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