Monday, October 19, 2009

Dear Sandra:

         Now that the oil portrait of my grandfather is hung and unveiled, I want to say again how simply delighted I am with your painting and with the experience of working with you.  My siblings and cousins, all of whom have now been sent photos and a video, are unanimous in their enthusiastic praise.

         From the beginning, I've enjoyed working with you.  I was surprised and impressed by your determination to learn as much as you could about Grandfather's personality, physical characteristics, and wardrobe.  Now that the painting is finished, we can all see how that research and sensitivity paid off: the painting looks more like the real man than did the photographic portrait you started with, even though you never had a chance to meet the man.

         You were also very good at handling your client (me), balancing adroitly a thoughtful interest in my opinions and ideas against your own sense of how the project should and must unfold.  For all these reasons, I'm happy and I thank you.

                                                     Sincerely, 

                                                     Dallas Cumings Dort (signed)