How lucky am I? The Colorado Springs Fine Art Center allowed me the honor of doing a traditional master copy of John Singer Sargent’s “Elsie Palmer”. I’ve got to admit, this would have been one of my “bucket list” entries. Once I met the requirements and made my petition, the FAC was very gracious and accommodating. Evidently, this was the first time that they allowed this to occur.
This master copy painting was a year in the making. I had done a tribute painting of John Sargent several years earlier. In that painting I used an old black and white reference photo of Sargent to place a color depiction of him in the painting. Also in this tribute piece I started painting vignettes of some noted Sargent paintings within the backdrop. This is where I got the bug. Maybe, to paint is to know. I became fascinated with Sargent’s style and process.
It was some time later that I was visited the Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs. Almost immediately I established the mental connection to have a copy of Elsie’s portrait back at the place she once lived; at the Glen.
Prior to starting, I studied everything I could on John Sargent; this painting, and Sargent’s process. There is an abundance of Sargent sites on the internet that allows you to learn a great deal about Sargent. Also, the Ratcliff and Ormand books on Sargent are great references. Probably the best, most personal reference pertaining to this specific painting, is the journal entries of Elsie Palmer, found at the Pioneer Museum in Colorado Springs.
Here is a link to what the Pioneer Museum has to say about the original Elsie Palmer painting by John Singer Sargent:
The following are a series of photos of me at the Fine Art Center.
The process of this project is just too lengthy for me to cover here. However, as they say, the proof is in the pudding. Here’s a photo of the 3/4 size master copy; waiting installment at Glen Eyrie Castle.
I wish to thank all of the people and organizations who made this project possible:
The Glen Eyrie Conference Center
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
The Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum
