Wednesday, January 5, 2011

The Face of Vietnam

A photographer friend of a friend took this photo of a little girl who lives in the northern hills of Vietnam and asked if she would paint it.  

I was given the great task of putting a beautiful, sad face on canvas.

38 comments:

rob ijbema said...

so sweet
the background works well liz
and i love the feel of the jumper

love your santa too
what a crazy world we live in!

all the best for the new year liz

Unknown said...

This is beautiful! The softness surrounding the child help to show her innocence, even as her expression gives us the feeling that life hasn't been always easy for this little girl... Very nicely done!

Ajay Patil said...

beautiful portrait. the sadness is very apparent from her eyes

Arti said...

sad..yes, and the beige background adds to the element.Well done, Liz.

Unknown said...

This is a beautiful portrait Liz. I like your choice of colours and how her expression shines through, sad though it is.

marty said...

c'est un magnifique portrait que tu
as fait Liz ! cette petite fille semble plongée dans ses pensées, un
peu tristes peut-être !
I wish you a nice day in your warm
country ! here - 2° but the sun shines !!
bisous

Crystal said...

It is such a beautiful, haunting portrait. You have done a wonderful job with it! :-)

Anthony Duce said...

The portrait is wonderful. Great eyes…

Sadia said...

Pensive and very expressive Liz!
Wonderful work!
Wishing you a very Happy New Year!
Hugs!

martinealison said...

Toute l'innocence et la tristesse flottent dans son regard et cependant elle est si belle cette enfant au regard sombre et au cheveux couleur de jais.
Bises

Willy. said...

Beautiful..big eyes with great expectations, the background is to sad ,for such a beauty.
Groetjes, Willy

Rachel said...

Beautifully done.

Charlene Brown said...

Sure hope the disillusionment you have portrayed so poignantly was a short-term thing...

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Beautiful portrait,,, we feel every emotion possible to feel, while looking into her sad eyes.
love
tweedles

FitFoodieMegha said...

She is so beautiful but why is she so sad? Feels like she wants something. You have captured her emotions very well. Great work again Liz!

Unknown said...

Sad but evocative of so much emotion from the viewer. Bravo Liz!

hmuxo said...

Beautiful portrait of this little girl. Her eyes says it all.

Prabal said...

Liz,
Happy new year to you. You have had a great start to 2011 with this painting. I am yet to do my first of the year though.
And please please please do come for world cup. And did you go to any of the tests? I thought it was a very exciting series.

Autumn Leaves said...

She is absolutely beautiful, Liz. Such and intensity in her eyes too. I hope that intensity carries (carried) her through when the sadness threatens to overwhelm. Magnificent job, my friend.

SKIZO said...

Fabulous
good
creations

Becky said...

So sad to think she most likely never will know a happy childhood! I pray things change for her! You did a wonderful job!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Rob! Thank you. Always love hearing from you and you comment about stepping up lives with me all the time!


Hello Katherine and thank you for the comment and the visit. Love your coloured pencil work!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Ajay and yes, I think her life up in the hills is very hard.


Thank you so much Arti!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Sue and thank you!


Thank, merci Marty! And it's been a bit too warm lately! Sweltering, actually. But can't complain, it's better than all that snow you folk are having.

Art with Liz said...

Thank you so much Crystal!


Such sad eyes I thought, Tony?

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Sadia and may you have the most wonderful year ever!


Merci Martine - I also think she is incredibly beautiful, even in her sadness. Bises to you too.

Art with Liz said...

Baie dankie Willy! In the original photo she was standing in front of a run down house in a similar colour. I just left out the house!


Thank you Rachel and you snowy pictures have been awesome! How's Klaus?

Art with Liz said...

Gosh Charlene, it would be nice to think so, but I feel that this is their permanent way of life. Sad huh!


Dear Tweedles, you are so sensitive! Thank you dear one.

Art with Liz said...

Hi Megha and thank you. Glad to see you blogging again!


Ah Sheila, one of my very first blogging friends - thank you so much for the great words and for coming back to blogland!

Art with Liz said...

Thank you Hilda!


Hi Prabal, welcome back and I hope you had a great holiday! Yes I was at the third test the whole week this week - always go to every test at Newlands - and I also got Sachin's autograph on the sketch I did. I'll post it soon to make the whole of cricket mad India jealous!! It was a great series! How I would love to go to the world cup this year! What about the Ashes then??

Art with Liz said...

Dear Sherry, I am so glad everything is coming together at last for you and thank you for visiting me. I have missed your wonderful comments.


Gosh Skizo, I so appreciate your comment. Thank you!

Art with Liz said...

Hi Becky and thank you! It would be nice if her life improved, wouldn't it! Here's hoping.

AK said...

A real haunting expression. Very well captured. Brings out the compassion of the artist! And yes am missing Africa. Given a chance would love to go back.

Diana Marshall said...

Beautiful painting, you captured her face so well and her mood too.

Priti said...

Beautiful portrait, soft and expressive!

Art with Liz said...

Hi AK and so glad you're back in the blogging world even if it's not in Africa. Thank you for your great comment.


Thank you Diana for visiting and the kind words! It's great to re-find you.


And to you too, Priti, thank you and I will be visiting you as well.

Leovi said...

Superb portrait with soft and delicate tones perfectly reflects the sad beauty of her eyes.

Dean H. said...

A portrait that makes quite a statement, Liz! Very well done.