Empathy, 14″ x 18″ oil on linen canvas, framed by the artist.

The original has found its forever home. Available as canvas giclee snd AP

Empathy is derived from an enchanted photo taken by my friend Cheryl of her granddaughter. She is holding a Baby Alive doll, originally used to prepare the dogs for the new arrival, but after adopted by this sweetheart. The image has been speaking to me for weeks and I had to paint it.

Aside from wanting to express the deep sense of empathy, the challenge was to capture all the different colored lights, coming from several directions all at once. She is literally receiving light from every direction. I think of light as a crucial emotional entity in the world of my paintings.

The unusual composition captures the feeling of loving and caring, beyond our selfish needs and desires. Love seems to come naturally but I believe it is learned. And this little girl has some of the best teachers I know. Now she is teaching us.