Just finished this commissioned portrait. Lenore is giving it to Henry for their wedding anniversary. They've been married for fifteen years.

This day and age staying together for that long is indeed rare and very special. I always listen to music while I work.. and OK I admit it.. I sing too. So this time I decided to try a little experiment.

While working on this portrait I created a playlist of love songs, songs of staying together forever, just in case I threw in songs of reconciliation, forgiveness, and remember that song "Reunited"? I listed to "Stand By You" by Bonnie Rait.. and since Lenore is from Cuba I had Gloria Estefan's "Here We Are" going at times.

Lenore said she wanted to hang this portrait in their bedroom. I thought perhaps that some of these songs I'd listened to might reflect somehow in my work.. and perhaps they might look at it and wonder why they feel so much love for each other when they do. Couldn't hurt could it?

Well an amazing and unexpected thing happened. Now, whenever I look at this portrait I hear love songs, and I get feelings of love, marriage and reconcilliatin... :P I have no idea if they feel anything.

But they have all of my warmest wishes for the future.. and I do have some good feelings in knowing that I did what I could to support the longevity of their union.

Happy Anniversary Lenore and Henry!

15 1/2 x 11 1/2 on Smooth Bristol Board. Mechanical Graphite pencils, 2H,HB,2B, & 4B.