Thursday, January 15, 2009

Portrait of Domenic, Angelic Child


Couldn’t you just pinch his little pink cheeks? Domenic, angelic child, is beloved by his aunt who commissioned his portrait to mark this moment in time. I can only imagine his mother’s surprise when she opened her Christmas gift.

In child portraiture, the spirit of innocence is roused by roundness of features. Soft edges flow as forms blend imperceptibly. Domenic’s faint smile and limpid eyes reminded me of the expression in the Mona Lisa, at one moment smiling, the next, pensive, and almost saddened, the vision of an old soul.

There is a riddle concealed in the folds of Dom’s Red Sox shirt. His clever and insightful aunt devised homage to his late great-grandfather Ed with the letters of the shirt. The contemporary insignia is a bit of genius, sure to inspire family stories for years to come.

I am delighted to discuss your portrait ideas. Portraits of children are cherished gifts for parents and grandparents. Now is the perfect time to commission your portrait for Mother’s Day.


Melody Phaneuf creates portraits of children at Fenway Studios Cooperative, a community of Boston artists whose historic north light building was modeled on the 19th century Parisian Ateliers. Studio visits are welcomed.

Melody's paintings have been exhibited at Galerie Herouet in Paris, The National Arts Club in New York City, and were included in a traveling exposition in Japan. Her work is regularly displayed at the Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury Street, Boston, MA.

Portrait of Domenic, by Melody Phaneuf 16 x 20, Pastel, Private Collection

Useful Links~

Clothing for Portraits~ Ideas from Famous Paintings

Mary Cassatt~ Archive of Portraits

The National Portrait Gallery

3 comments:

Unknown said...

Domenic's portrait is a beautiful work of art that his family will treasure for generations. As a mother of two sons ages 20 and 18, I can attest that the time flies by quickly. It seems only yesterday they were little cherubs like Domenic! Domenic will be grateful his family caputured his spirit and likeness at such a sweet and tender age. Life is fleeting, and the moments of childhood most of all.

Anonymous said...

Melody, as I am wiping away tears after seeing and reading this, I have to tell you how much we LOVE Domenic's portrait. I have it on the wall at the base of our stairs so every time we go up or down we see sweet Dom staring at us frozen in time! I can hardly believe how fast the time has gone since the portrait was done! Hmmm...I will need to get one done of Isabella now before she gets any bigger. Thank you to you and of course Ya-ya (Lynda)! We will cherish it forever! ~Domenic's Mom

MelodyTheArtist said...

Jackie,

I am delighted to know of your daily joy looking at Dom's portrait. It was such a pleasure to work with Dom's beautiful energy and sweet face. I look forward to Isabella.

Melody