January 21, 2011

• Fine Art Friday:Melvin

  

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  George C. Roche III                                                                        by Deborah Melvin
  Oil on Canvas, dimensions unknown                                                                1981

   

  Portraiture intrigues me much the way libraries do ~ the contents of the collection are revealing.  Just like last week's FAF painter (Raeburn link) recorded 18th century Scottish history with the brush, this Friday I draw your attention to a dynamic living artist, Deborah Melvin Beisner.

   

  After graduating from Hillsdale College in 1976 (that's where I met her) and studying with John Howard Sanden and Daniel Greene in the 1980s, Deborah laid aside her painting in order to rear her family together with husband, E. Calvin Beisner. Now that the children are growing up and giving them grandchildren, she is picking up her brushes again.

   

  I remember lots of things about Debby ~ her hospitable smile, her cadre of siblings, her impressive parents.  But mainly I recall her artistic ability, especially now that I have a daughter who paints (hoping to develop her portraiture skills).

   

  So, make a note of this name.

   

  I hope Debby will establish a webpage so that you can see more of her portraits, like the wistful one of Russell Kirk walking through a field of flowers; or the exquisite one of Clyde Kilby reading C.S. Lewis.  This one of Dr Roche was painted early in her career and is privately held.  If you have access to Facebook, there are some snapshots of more of her works there.

   

  In the meantime, pay attention to who's painting whom in your world.

   

  There's usually a story there.

   

   

   

   

   

  Here's a link to a portion of mine and the model in the painting.

   

  • 8:31 am
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