A Sensitive Portrait Commission and a Privilege to Paint

 When I was approached to paint this, I was a bit apprehensive. It all depended on the quality of the photographs that I could work with.  The father had recently passed away before his granddaughter was born. The family were grieving for the loss of their husband, father and grandfather. I was asked to bring him from spirit to hold his baby granddaughter that he had never met.

I will admit now that it brought tears to my eyes as the story was told. It was a wonderful thing for his daughter to want to have, for her mother, his wife, and I hoped and prayed that I could do this commission justice.

Working from photographs is not easy, especially when the lighting casts tinges and awkward shadows. I also needed to work out a composition to bring them together in a

Vic Selby , my Dad and the Books that he wrote
Vic Selby, Author And My Father

There are times in life that are hard to bear and this has been one of the toughest. My father passed away just before Christmas with most of his family around him. It was expected, though not nearly quite so soon, but no matter how much I thought I was prepared, it wrenched my soul to see the light in his eyes slip away. He will always have a piece of my heart.