Created by Artist,
©L.A. Charnack/ CLINE

It all started with a dream to paint Dolphin Quarterback, Dan Marino, back in 1996.

L.A. Cline started to paint two Pastel Paintings of Dan Marino, one a portrait and one an action scene, entitled, ‘The Game’ measuring 38”X45”. These paintings were the spark that lit the fire to continue painting Sports Athletes. By going to the games, experiencing the head to head combat between players, the strategies and passion to win all fueled the Artist’s desire to paint a new kind of Sports Historic Painting capturing these moments forever.

L.A. Cline states, “For me our athletes are like gladiators, fighting against all odds to win and stay on top.’ A quote by Vince Lombardi says it all, ‘The harder you work the harder it is to surrender’.”

Creating the Super Bowl XXXIII Painting was an incredible feat for the Artist. L.A. Cline “Seeing John Elway actually make that last winning touchdown was a thrilling moment. To capture and immortalize that moment within a 45”X52” Pastel Painting, is a work of Art to behold.”

The Artist starts with a pencil sketch to scale before each painting. One painting as large as this one with so many details took six months to finish. All the creations of L.A. CLINE are drawn and painted by hand. The Artist uses a method of building layer upon layer of Pastel pigment developing the depth and details that unveils the “Super Realistic” quality of each legacy painting. This painting is a show stopper when displayed at events. It is also a part of the Artists personal collection.

The LACfineart.com website serves as an in-depth portfolio of the many facets of the Artist’s paintings that include: Corporate, Family, Florals, Landscapes, Pets, Wildlife, Entertainment and Sports. The original Nature Collection Paintings are reproduced as Fine Art Giclees. L.A. CLINE then embellishes each piece by hand to make it a one-of-a-kind work of Art. Each one looks like an original pastel painting that you can view in the Fine Art Store.

The most important detail of each painting is the emphasis placed on the likeness of the subject whomever or whatever the subject may be. Capturing the essence of the subject that the client adores brings each legacy masterpiece painting to a breath-taking conclusion.

For more about this painting and other sports paintings go to http://www.lacfineart.com/painting-gallery/sports-and-athletes

To LIKE this painting on Facebook go to https://www.facebook.com/portraitartist.fineart

L.A. Cline is a Master Pastel Artist
www.LACfineart.com
LAC@LACfineart.com
954-850-1056

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L.A. Cline, Sketch for
“Enchanting Bloom”
Pastel Painting

Why do people become Artists? Out of all of the career choices out there, why do some people feel they must create art as a profession? Certainly, there are safer, more financially predictable ways to make a living. What exactly is it that drives a person to make this “unpractical” life choice?

The passionate need to express one’s self, experiences, opinions and visions can manifest itself in many ways. While we are born with this need and taught by parents, teachers and others as children, it is the few of us who fight to keep and develop the skills as an artist. It seems as though as soon as we begin our lives as artists, those of us who choose to keep, harbor, nourish and hone the inner artist are often thought of as flighty dreamers. Yet the reality is, few people live with the kind of passion, dedication, integrity, and commitment that gives persistence and will to believe you are truly born an Artist.

The artist feels a marrow-deep need to document the legacy of being alive in this era, in this place, in this moment. The artist needs you to see the things that you are overlooking in your daily routine of “living.” The artist grabs you by the shoulders, stops you in your tracks, or alternatively shakes you out of your hypnosis to remind you that once the imagination is revealed it creates the wonderful world of Art.

Art dares you to feel the emotions you’ve been suppressing in favor of the passion and persistence that it takes to see through completing a creation. The artist is the brave soul who takes this challenge, to deliver to you this wake-up call with vulnerable abandon. The Artist is patient soul who is willing to spend months or even years to create a document of a single moment in time that says, “This is what it was like to be alive.” This may be a subtle expression of beauty that takes your breath away, or a loud and desperate cry for understanding that knocks the wind out of you.

There is a huge risk factor that drives the Artist to commit to this life. It is a vision in our dreams that radiates from your heart that even though it is a huge gamble you believe it must be created. So we as Artists gamble even in the midst of all the other art in the world that my art will be noticed because I believe in the impossible and believe I have to create.

L.A. Cline
Master Pastel Artist
LAC@LACfineart.com
www.LACfineart.com

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A Corporate Portrait is no ordinary honor, as it is made for only a select few people. Therefore, commissioning a corporate painting is a task to be given the highest priority. L.A. Cline has received the esteemed honor of being chosen to create manycorporate portraits of top leaders. This type of portrait requires an experienced artist who understands that the image must represent not only an individual, but the entire corporation behind them.

Generally, a Corporate Portrait starts from a sketch of the individual in person. The artist will see what poses are comfortable and natural for the subject and consider various color patterns for the Corporate Portrait. The Corporate Portrait Artist will take the designs back to her studio for finalization and thereafter final approval from the client.

Video on ‘Corporate Pastel Portraits’

See more of L.A. Cline’s videos here

One of the many advantages of pastel painting is that no drying time is required, as with other forms of painting. This means that the Corporate Portrait can be directly critiqued by the client. The artist can make important changes right before the client’s eyes. While clients can recommend the size of the painting at the start, the Portrait Artist, L.A. Cline, may suggest other sizes once she starts sketching the Corporate Portrait maximizing the overall impact of the portrait.

An official pastel painting of a Corporate Portrait can be on display for generations in a courtroom or office building. With the realistic look shown by a seasoned Corporate Portrait Artist such as L.A. Cline, one can expect the painting to reflect the subject’s personal look surrounded by comfortable surroundings that add to the personality of the person portrayed.

Museums occasionally house a Corporate Portrait, as do homes, offices and main corporate offices of a business or firm. Clients may talk with the artist if they are interested in commissioning a Corporate Portrait. Before determining, each client will certainly have many opportunities to browse the extensive art online portfolio of Pastel Artist, L.A. Cline.Contact today!

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I have been a sports fan for many years now and have an extensive collection of paintings on my website in the Sports and Athletes Gallery.

http://www.lacfineart.com/portrait-painting-pastel-art-gallery.php

When I am commissioned to create a pastel portrait painting my pencil art sketches are drawn to the same scale as the finished painting.  These pencil art drawings are the blue print of what my clients should expect as far as what the subject looks like and the size.  It is a great way to start a portrait painting since it really relaxes my clients when they can see their painting as a portrait drawing and make corrections if necessary. I recently wrote an article in my blog about, “ Tips on How to Hire a Portrait Artist”.  It is a great read!

http://www.lacfineart.com/fine-art-blog/how-to-hire-a-portrait-artist-tip/

The original Flacco Pencil Art Sketch is 16”X20” and a “Work of Art”. This image was not a commission but is a part of my ever growing Sports Collection.  It is a dynamic image of Joe Flacco filled with determination and that winning stare.  It is the essence of a strong, young, Super Bowl Quarterback.

I scanned the original pencil drawing of Flacco to create this email.  This “Work of Art” bares the copyright symbol ©L.A. Cline, which means that no one can copy, sell, or distribute this image.  You can enjoy the art or inquire about the original.

Like me on Facebook    http://www.facebook.com/portraitartist.fineart?ref=hl

Written by:  L.A. Cline

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2.  When you decide on a portrait, whether it be Corporate, Family, Pet, Sports, Entertainment portraits or a special Landscape Portrait, ask about the process. When I first spend time with a client, they usually specify what type of portrait they would like. I then explain how I create a detailed pencil sketch to scale, prior to creating the actual painting.  By doing this, my clients can see the face, body, and details of what will become a final product – in the actual size of the painting. We can then all critique the sketch and make corrections, if necessary. I find this process is relaxing for my clients, and it makes the creation process even more fun.

3. After speaking with the Artist and providing all the detailed information necessary, the next question is where to display the completed painting. The Artist should physically see where the space – whether a room, courtroom, business or other area – and understand the lighting, size of the space, et cetera. This helps also guide the conversation about frame size, shape and color. I have longstanding relationships with local framers, who I work with when the time comes.  Since my portraits are pastel paintings, special care is required to create museum-quality environment for these Masterpiece works of art, and I personally supervise the framing process to ensure this.

4. Paintings take time to create so there is usually a contract to sign when hiring a Portrait Artist once all the details have been worked out. The final delivery date is important. If you are planning to have a portrait created for a particular event or within a certain timeframe, give yourself four or five months more time,  just to be safe when commissioning the artist.

5. At my first official meeting, I like to sketch and take photographs as guides for the very important pencil sketch to-scale, which I create prior to starting the painting. This way everyone has an idea of exactly what to expect.

6. Make sure the Artist does the research needed for each creation before you commisssion the artist. Everything has a history and there must be an open dialog to investigate why a certain color, vase, pet, or décor is something the client wants in the painting. Why did they use that color or what kind of cat is their beloved pet? Make sure the Artist is informed and asks questions that are important to you.

7. Every Artist has their own way of doing preliminary work before a painting. The objective here is to make the client feel comfortable and as excited as the Artist is to create this new Masterpiece. Not every Artist does a detailed pencil sketch to scale. I create one, so that a client can personally approve it before I start the actual painting. Whether my clients are around-the-corner or around-the-world, I keep them informed either by personal studio visits or by email.

8. All Portrait Artists are aware of the preservation of their work. The materials should be of the best quality and on acid-free surfaces.

9. Clients should see the painting at least twice before the Artist starts the finishing process. Once a painting is finished, and before I begin framing, I always have a viewing for my clients. After that, I scan each finished painting for my archives and along with the Original Painting I give an 8”X10” giclee of the work to my clients. I also have the ability to create very special Fine Art Note Cards of the painting, as a lovely way for clients to write their personal notes.

10. The most important thing about the portrait painting is that the painting looks like the subject. No matter what the background details show, the subject is what it’s all about. That is the key to a Masterpiece Painting. Portraits are a gift of love.

Written by: L.A. Cline, Master Pastel Artist, www.LACfineart.com

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The Courthouse was constructed in 1931-1932 by James Wetmore, the Acting Supervising Architect of the Treasury. On October 19, 2009 the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate designated the Courthouse as the Sidney M. Aronovitz United States Courthouse.

Judge Aronovitz’s Grandfather, David Aronovitz arrived in Key West from Europe and founded a family of Key West pioneers whose contributions to the city were honored with the naming of Aronovitz Lane.  Sidney M. Aronovitz, born in Key West in 1920, went to Key West High School and Graduated as Senior Class President and Valedictorian.  He went to the University of Florida and earned his law degree with honors.

Aronovitz served in the U.S. Army as a Captain in Europe from 1943 to 1946 and earned the Bronze Star.  The Honorable Aronovitz was the United States Southern District Judge of Florida for over 20 years.  In 1976 President Gerald R. Ford appointed Aronovitz to the Federal Bench where he served his hometown with great distinction for the remainder of his life.

L.A. Cline painted this corporate portrait by hand using layer upon layer of pastel chalk to develop this legacy painting.   A Giclee, Fine Art Reproduction of this painting can also be viewed at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, at the American Art and Portrait Gallery Library in the “Living Artists File” were L.A. Cline is recommended as a portrait Artist to the public.  L.A. Cline has “a wealth of experience” creating custom art for 30 years.  The Artist can be commissioned to create your corporate portrait painting Masterpiece.

For more information about this Devoted American and to see more of the Artist’s work visit: www.LACfineart.com

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Originally from Key West, Florida, Federal Judge Sidney M. Aronovitz was nominated by President Gerald Ford to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida on August 4, 1976.

L.A. Cline scanned the Original Memorial Pastel Painting of Federal Judge Aronovitz and sent a Giclee print to the Director of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.

The Curator of Prints and Drawings sent L.A. Cline’s print and information to the Smithsonian American Art and Portrait Gallery Library to be included in the “Living Artists File” where certain Artist’s are recommended to all that request future Commissioned Portraits.

You can view the image of Federal Judge Aronovitz at www.LACfineart.com
Go to “IN THE NEWS” to read his biography and press release.

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For all those out there that have elderly parents I hope this touches home.

My Father has Alzheimer’s and is currently in a Nursing Home.  He is very moody and very normal or what we call a normal day activity like going to the bathroom, pulling up his pants or just standing up takes a huge toll on him.  While the nurses are wonderful no one can be with him every minute.  My Mother, my Son and I lovingly spend as much time each week as possible to care for him.  It certainly takes a toll on all of us.

Fortunately, I have my Art to take me away from some of this heartbreak.  Last August I was commissioned by Tod Aronovitz to create a corporate portrait of his Father, Federal Judge Sidney M. Aronovitz that  now can be viewed on my Website www.LACfineart.com under Corporate Portraits.

This commission was very difficult since Judge Aronovitz passed on about 15 years ago.  The family gave me a few photographs of him ranging from a young man of thirty to about 70.  One photograph in particular was the family favorite.  It was a black and white head and shoulder pose.

It just so happens that one other photograph had a very small image of Judge Aronovitz standing within a group of people where I could discern his approximate height, weight and size of his head and shoulders compared to his contemporaries.  From there I actually measured Tod’s head, shoulders, hands, wrists, height for comparison.  This information gave me general measurements for Judge Aronovitz in real life size.

In between visiting my Father and settling him into rehabilitation after a fall, I started to pull together the ideas for creating this three-quarter length life-size portrait of a man I never saw, met or spoke too.  Tod Aronovitz was very giving with information about his Father.  He really  answered my questions with detail where I could start to imagine his Father’s, characteristics, intellect, his body language, and daily routine.

Fortunately Tod and his Sister Elaine each had attributes that I could see were reminiscent of their Father.  I remember Elaine to me the detail of their Fathers fingers and hands.  I also requested that Tod allow me to take some photographs of him in his Father’s Robe as studies for folds and poses.  I gathered measurements from my notes and started to draw.  The sketch took me one month to complete.

The pencil sketch to scale was a life-size portrait of  Judge Aronovitz dating back to about thirty-five years ago when he was in his prime around the age 58 to 60.  He was a very conservative elegant man.  I created a relaxed pose of him holding a Federal Book in one hand and his glasses in the other.  Judge Aronovitz looks directly at you with the strength and wisdom of the greatness life had bestowed him.  He possessed a “Mona Lisa” smile of kindness giving a sense of the many thoughts and judgments to come.  Tod was teary eyed when he viewed and remarked that the sketch looked just like his Father and his pose reminded him of the way he looked going to court, holding a book in one hand and his glasses in the other.  This brought me great joy.

During this time my Father was still recovering in rehabilitation in the Nursing Home.  Still very weak with the excercise, the therapists and nurses little by little he was starting to walk longer distances with his walker.   The staff was very kind to him all during his stay at the Nursing Home.   In between our visits I was creating this Masterpiece  Portrait.

I started to reconstruct the portrait again only this time adding colors.  I create my portraits by hand from the sketch to the painting.  I paint with pastel chalk on acid free Water Color Paper that is archivally mounted.  I can use 15 to 20 layers or more of chalk for a portrait.  Layer upon layer is placed very carefully to build the richness of color and the look I want to achieve for the Masterpiece.

All the edges of this Memorial Portrait have a soft outline.  I wanted Judge Aronovitz to look as though he was coming out of a haze of color, a soft grey blue cloud giving him a distinguished look of the Great and “Devoted American” that he was.

The portrait took me seven months to finish.  During those seven months my Mother had serious eye surgery, my Dad was in and out of rehab, someone close to our family passed on and we moved into a new house.  So for about 3 weeks I was not physically working on the portrait.  But, it’s a funny thing about Art, you really work every minute of the day thinking of combinations of colors, lighting, proportions and anatomy especially when you have to imagine and then create a person’s stature.  Having my Art to think about during these hard times was a blessing.

Once I set up my new studio I invited Tod and his Sister Elaine to view the portrait.   Now that I started to actually paint they could see their Father’s face and body coming to life.  Even Mrs. Aronovitz visited my studio and was just wonderful.  Everyone was emotional and everyone  was very happy with the results.  I met again with Tod to choose a frame for the piece that would measure 39.5” X 54”.

Judge Aronovitz was born in Key West.  On February 22, 2010 the Key West U.S. Courthouse circa 1948 was renamed the Sidney M. Aronovitz United States Courthouse.  This Masterpiece Portrait of Judge Aronovitz will be placed in the lobby of this Courthouse on Permanent Display for the public.

Judge Aronovitz had great affection for his home town.  This Memorial corporate Portrait has within it many personal qualities that Judge Aronovitz would have enjoyed.  For instance, the cloud like background is reminiscent of the enormous open sky that surrounds the beautiful water of Key West.  The wood frame has an outside edging with a red stain that enhances the flesh tones and important law-book detail.  The ropelike carving around the inside of the frame with the natural wood characteristics of the charcoal black grey frame are in keeping with the outdoor feeling of fishing, boating and docks.  The extended inside matching frame added an elegant gold/silver detail edge that surrounds the portrait of Judge Aronovitz.

The Honorable Sidney M. Aronovitz was a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida for over 20 years and was born in Key West, Florida, on June 20, 1920.  He Graduated from Key West High School as Senior Class President and Valedictorian.  After Graduating from the University of Florida with High Honors, he served as Captain in the United States Army in Europe from 1943 to 1946, earning the Bronze Star.  Following his military service, Sidney Aronovitz practiced law in Miami Florida, for over 30 years.  In 1976 President Gerald R. Ford appointed Aronovitz to the Federal Bench, where he served with distinction for the remainder of his life.

The accomplishments of the Honorable Sidney M. Aronovitz was much more far-reaching and exciting than one paragraph can express.  This man was such a Devoted Person.  Devoted to his Country and his Family.

In 1980 after the “Freedom Flotilla”, there were over 2000 Key West Vessels seized by the Federal Government.  These vessels helped Cuban refugees get to the United States under President Jimmy Carters “Open Arms” policy.  Judge Aronovitz ordered these vessels released and the cancellation of over 4 million in fines that were assessed against the boat owners.

Judge Aronovitz was also selected by the United States Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist to serve on the original United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1988 to 1992.

Judge Aronovitz bravely defended the United States Constitution by protecting the rights of the homeless, women, Cuban refugees and other minorities.  Federal Judge Aronovitz was awarded the prestigious Gold Medallion Award by the National Council of Christians and Jews.  The Council bestowed their highest honor to Federal Judge Aronovitz for his dedication to the administration of the rule of law without consideration of race, creed or national origin.

Judge Aronovitz gave hours of pro bono legal work and served as a Founder, Incorporator, and Member of the Original Board of Directors of the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Miami.  The Honorable Sidney M. Aronovitz was inducted into the University of Florida College of Law Heritage of Leadership Recognitions Society and the Judge Sidney M. Aronovitz Memorial Scholarship was established in his honor to help minority students.

These highlights were taken from Biography printed for the day of the Ceremonial Naming of his Courthouse.  I have read his Biography many times and each time is like the first.  It is a list of  great accomplishments not only as an American who loved his country and his home town but also as the loving Husband, Father and Grand Father and Great Grand Father.  He was married over 50 years!

From the beginning sketch of this corporate portrait painting I felt a spiritual alliance to Judge Aronovitz which allowed me to imagine how to portray this great man for all to see the beautiful guiding light he truly was.

I love my Dad and even though his accomplishments were different they still are very important to me.  Just sitting in service with him in the Nursing Home holding hands was a great moment for us.  When you meet him the first thing he will say to you is Hi! I am a WW2 Vet.  I am 83 years old and he will shake your hand.

We must keep the good thoughts of people in our hearts where they will forever stay alive and then pass these thoughts to others.  If you are lucky enough to have someone and something you enjoy in life you will get though the bad and Goodness will prevail.

I will be starting a new painting very shortly so check back!

L.A. Cline

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Since my last Blog I have put “Enchanting Bloom” aside to work on a new Memorial commission of a Federal Judge that will be on  permanent display in the Key West Court House which has been dedicated in his name.  This honor was bestowed upon me by his son.

Through personal dialogue with his son along with a few photographs of his Father I created an original realistic sketch to scale featuring The Judge in a three-quarter length pose from head to mid-thigh measuring about 40″X50″. This sketch took me a month to develop. I am very happy to say that the family members critiqued and approved the sketch.  I am now painting the portrait from which I rendered from a photo.

After many years of creating portraits without actually meeting the subject I knew my past experience was invaluable for this project.  It has been a joy right from the start.

There will be a press release and a new page added to my web site when the portrait painting is completed.  The painting will take about three to four months more to paint and custom frame.

After my client approves the press release I will be able to give you more details about this incredible, “Great American” I am painting.

Meanwhile, I will be updating “Enchanting Bloom” in my next Blog in about ten days.

Your comments are always welcome,

Sincerely,

L.A. Cline

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