Me, In A Nun Suit, Juggling

Yesterday, as part of the one hundred things meme, I mentioned that I had indeed had my portrait painted. I also described it: me, in a nun's habit, juggling. My pal Stephanie left a comment wondering what that was all about.

I don't blame her. I'd wonder, too.

Anyway, here's the deal.

Back when I was in college, several of my good friends were very good artists. One of my friends, Lizzie, wanted to paint my portrait. I forget why; I think she just wanted practice painting people. I was all for it, so I put on a pretty dress and got my juggling balls and Lizzie took some snapshots and then painted the portrait.

It was very nice. Quite sweet, really. Lizzie wasn't thrilled with it, though; she thought it was too wishy washy and pale.

Enter my other artist friends, Sue and Joan.

They looked at the portrait and immediately started talking about what it needed. It certainly needed more color. I needed more color. It was way too timid; it needed some wildness about it. They started tossing out ideas for improving the thing; finally, they took the portrait away to Sue's studio and dove in.

They talked about putting me in a nun suit and giving me a clown nose. I was fine with the nose; after all, I was all into the clowning thing. But I most certainly did not want to be portrayed in a nun suit. No way. No. Nuh-uh. I made it quite clear that I would be very very upset if they did that.

So naturally, that is exactly what they did.

When Sue and Joan unveiled the finished product, I was not happy. In fact, I hated the thing. But then I looked at it again, and again, and it began to grow on me. I noticed the little details: the smiley face on the bottom juggling ball, the smiley face on me, the sparkly bits around my head, the signature! How many people have an original faux Norman Rockwell, I ask you??

I'm sure it's not everyone's cuppa tea, but it sure is mine.