Janani
She is a 10-year-old girl who lives right behind my home or rather I should say I happen to be her new neighbour. She use to pass by my home quite often and would peek through the window and wave her little hand and greet me with her contagious smile. She was a spectator initially n later a newfound fan
She would curiously ask about the progress I made with each of my paintings. One day unexpectedly she asked me how much it would cost to get a pencil sketch of her done. She told me she had saved up some money and that she can offer her piggy bank savings to me for the commissioned portrait sketch. Her chatter continued saying how her birthday was approaching and that she want to gift herself a portrait, unlike her other friends who had been gifted theirs on their birthdays. She was ready to forgo her little fortune even if it was meant to be a sketch on a small drawing paper. I agreed but insisted that she can use her savings to treat herself or spend it for her family. With a luminous spark in her eyes, she agreed and the deal was done.
I decided to give her the best birthday gift of her life. With every passing day, she would peek through the window to see the progress and realise that a colour portrait was being done. The curious looks on her face were my everyday boost and I subsequently finished the portrait in 20 days. I am glad I was able to capture all the expressions and portray them here to the best of my ability. With the simplicity and innocence on this little girl’s face, the work was effortlessly easy for me, even though I couldn’t keep myself away from the easel until the day I completed and signed it. Indeed I am sure that this small gesture goes a long way for someone like this little girl Janani.
JANANI
Acrylic and Oil on Medium Density Fiber Board
10 x 16 inches
September 2021
