‘DEBORAH FORSTER – AUTHOR’ 2012
Acrylic on Canvas 120 x 180cm
After spending time with Deb I felt that she was a very private and modest person, who really didn’t want a ‘close up’. So when I asked if she had an idea of how she would like to be painted she told me of adoring portraits of ladies reading.
My immediate response was – YIKES, because it would be quite a different type of composition for me. Naturally, my challenge was to try to ‘capture’ Deborah and after a great deal of thought and sleepless nights, I began to see that those gentle portraits, did reflect her personality beautifully. I began to see her sitting reading her computer in her comfortable study, being accompanied by her charming companions, all playing their part in the creative and insightful writing of Deborah Forster.
I began researching and found Johannes Vermeer’s portraits of domestic interior scenes and became inspired by them, as I felt that they would suit the composition and narrative of a ‘serene’ group of friends and memories surrounding and influencing the creative process of a talented and sensitive author. Vermeer’s use of transparent colours and pearly highlights, along with his use of precise positioning in his compositions supported by light and perspective effects, made me feel that I was on the right track. I attempted to engage the viewer with the direct gaze of old, wise Sam, and hopefully, beguile and intrigue with the portraits of the young school girl and young woman – both Deb, of course! The sweet puppy, Maisy’s deep love is shown by the strong gaze, guiding the viewer back to a contemplative, Deborah. I felt a need to find a way to include Steve, the cat, so I had him nearby and on the alert of the over friendly Maisy. Steve is seen as the odd tail, on the left side of the arm chair. His tail had been bitten and got infected, resulting in the missing section of fur! I feel that Steve’s tail also locks in ‘time’ as his tail is now mended and back to normal. I wanted to make the portrait contemporary , or rather post-modern, by having the ‘reading woman’ reading an ‘Apple computer’ , the author’s great research tool, and what Deb uses to write her wonderful books.
Deborah Forster’s brilliant book ‘The Book of Emmett’ is based loosely on her life growing up in Footscray, which made me feel the need to include the photographs of her as a school girl and a young woman in order to reveal the influences of her environment and life’s journey in her profound writing. The aura around Deborah is of introspection and serenity as she sits in the cosy study with her dear animal friends. Her home is filled with the love of her family and imbued with memories, which all truly inspire and reflect the charming and talented Deb Forster.
I hope you like the portrait.
