She Returned
A very tall and beautiful Canadian lady gave me a deposit to do a commissioned painting of a sailboat. Her and her husband had sailed long on this luxurious sloop and wished to have an evocative painting to hang on a wall of their new Summer home. Right away I started collecting information for my work: I visited the sailboat, which was then docked in a nearby marina. I did a few sketches and took photos of the boat from different angles. I also did some miniature paintings. When the size and price of a commissioned painting justifies it, I render miniature paintings showing the final colors and composition, so as to make sure my patrons can visualize what they will receive when I finish my work. I do as many miniatures as necessary, but I recover them later to sell in at my Estudio-café. In this case an image of the sailboat at anchorage with some other boats around, with beaches and mountains in the background and a few seagulls in the air was selected.
Once the idea was approved, I ordered materials for a 150 x 180 cm stretcher, assembled them and stained the canvas. I rolled my largest easel into position and began rendering large from the selected miniature. A few weeks later my Canadian patron lady came by. After briefly seeing the painting she did not seem very happy. She asked if it was finished. I answered that for the most part it was, except that I wished for her husband (owner and captain of the vessel) to check on any boat details he may want improved. Large beautiful sailboats like this one are the pride of their owners, who may want to point out virtues which others may pass unseen. I had omitted articles clinging around the hull, such as the dinghy’s motor and a fryer, which would obstruct the slender lines of the deck, but I did paint the bright red and white Canadian flag at the stern. Days and weeks went by and the Canadian lady would not come back. Then months passed, as my e-mails remained unanswered. Some of the miniatures sold; in my disappointment I gave away the final one. I though the day had come when one of my commissioned pieces was disapproved by the patron, or even worse, despised to the point of not wishing to see me again.
After waiting a year and a half I thought it was time to put the painting up for sale, saving the deposit in case my client would return... and she returned! She came suddenly, unexpected, smiling, radiant and full of enthusiasm. Her hair was very short. My wife saw her and ushered her in, while making a compliment on her hair “how fashionable and easy to comb” she said “I had cancer!” responded the client with an outburst of laughter and then everything fell into place. After she learned about the deadly disease, she had lost strength and interest for anything other than her health and her loved ones. She had gone through the agony of treatment, and upon healing she had renewed her passion for life and beautiful things: and she liked my painting! Sometimes we are led to suppose the worst and it turns out it was not. Email to a friend.
Federico León de La Vega
E-mail: federico@estudiocafe.net
Website: estudiocafe.net
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Author Note: This is a chapter of a book I am writing about my adventures as a painter artist.
The Federico León de la Vega Estudo – Café is open to the public and is located in Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
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