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The Caledonian Buddha

Updated: Apr 29, 2021

So this has been a very strange experience. Having said I would never do a composite portrait again, let alone with smiles, let alone with four kids born in three different decades (therefore with photos wildly differing in quality), I find myself doing exactly that but with the additional complication of a Buddha family theme. Jim as Buddha at his current age, with Connie, Rory, Catriona and Ishbel (all at the happy pre-teen age) surrounding him showing joy and animation. Big generous ears and tum and swathes of golden cloth together with additional nods to Jim's big personality. I have found myself looking back to our coffee last summer wondering why on earth I agreed to this. But look. Six months on (or maybe nine) I have a nearly finished piece. There are, indeed, five happy and contented smiles on this piece of work. There are five animated and more-or-less believable figures and there is a lot of joy and fun in this piece. And, apart from one or two moments, I have really enjoyed the challenge. I probably still have a lot to do but at the moment I am just sitting with it and enjoying it. I would love to hear your feedback and know if any of you have done something similar.

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©2020 by Charity McArdle Fine Art. Proudly created with Wix.com

Sydney, They/Them, Oil on Canvas, 30x60cm.

The pressure to conform to gender stereotypes was not something Sydney was willing to do at High School.

Identity should not be tied to how you look or how you behave or to gender norms.

Sydney has changed quite a bit since this painting but I love the defiance and confidence in her eyes. 

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