The Reluctant Artist by kwind

The Reluctant Artist

This is far removed from my normal photography style and I'm not really sure if I like it. That's my daughter with her back to her watercolour painting which is part of a high school display at a local theatre. The light and wall colour were bad and my loving offspring was in a grumpy mood. She's so critical of her work and didn't want us there or taking photos. She had nothing good to say about her two pieces (which were quite lovely) or herself - it breaks my heart!
Great shot and you're right, it's not what you usually post! The picture tells the story so well!
April 30th, 2016  
She is very beautiful in her serious look!
April 30th, 2016  
Great composition and processing. Your reluctant model/artist is lovely - a must fav for this very interesting capture.
April 30th, 2016  
It is definitely the age - moody and self-critical are so common, particularly among teen girls. She'll get through this though I know it's so hard on Mom. Do like how you've treated this picture - illustrates what you wrote very well.
April 30th, 2016  
Your daughter is beautiful. This photo captures your daughter's mood. I hope that she can eventually see the beauty in her art and in herself :).
April 30th, 2016  
Great composition and edit. I love the desaturation with the splash of color and her serious expression with the turn of her head. My daughter wears her hair like that! It certainly brings out your daughter's lovely face.
April 30th, 2016  
Oh dear, a bad day in the life of a teenager :( Her painting looks lovely and I do like your capture of the day.
April 30th, 2016  
I like it. It really draws you in to the painting and to your daughter. Even grumpy she looks lovely. And she obviously has a caring family that will support her whether she wants it or not. Hahaha. Years ago I put some paintings in a show and they all sold. I was so happy! Then later I discovered my mum had bought all but one herself. I was a little annoyed at the time but I love her for doing that. (The person who organised the show bought the other one so that was cool too)
April 30th, 2016  
This is so creative. Teenage girls are so self-critical. I hope it passes for her.
April 30th, 2016  
I love this
April 30th, 2016  
This is very cool, maybe not what you usually post but so special. I love the way your composed and processed this. And your daughter is gorgeous despite her mood... She will learn to be nicer to herself :)
April 30th, 2016  
Cool processing, I like the artistic touch that matches your artistic daugher.
April 30th, 2016  
Great way to display the art. Your daughter must get her creative side from you!
April 30th, 2016  
I do like the way you captured this - a great way to highlight what's most important to you!
April 30th, 2016  
I absolutely love this photo, fav
April 30th, 2016  
Lovely photo, it tells a story.
April 30th, 2016  
Not your normal style, but a fantastic capture all the same! I really like it, so creative and really tells the story!
April 30th, 2016  
I love this shot, it is so creative and it captures the essence of your daughter's views at present. I am sure she will grow out of it as her confidence grows.
April 30th, 2016  
superb shot, love the composition
April 30th, 2016  
Not your usual style, but a great shot. I can remember both my daughters going through just this stage. They were insecure and uncertain and very, very moody. I remember feeling unable to help as they almost 'enjoyed' their moods. I look at them now and boy what a difference. They are both confident and aware of their strengths as well as their weaknesses. I've watched Siobhan face cancer with courage and dignity and been inspired by her. I've also watched Seana fight the system for her youngest son. The 'outstanding' school he went to almost destroyed him. Both Seana and her husband were constantly called to the school over his behaviour. He was eventually diagnosed with autism, but not until five years of hell had been endured by all. One of the worst things that happened to her was related to the problem his autism caused with food. He has obsessions about them and eats very few things. His siblings were sent to school with ultra healthy packed lunches - Dan took what Seana knew he'd eat. The consequence was the school reported her to social services for neglect. Not once had anyone asked about the discrepancy in the lunches! Not that it would have helped as his autism had gone un diagnosed at that time. They've grown into young women to be proud of, as your beautiful daughter will.
April 30th, 2016  
Brilliant shot which tells the story so well A love how your daughter and the painting stand out! Fav
April 30th, 2016  
I frikkin' LOVE this photo!!. ..moodiness and all. I have no idea why keep thinking you're an Asian guy??? LOL! ...but your offspring had a touch of Eurasian about her. She's very beautiful! Instafave for sure! Reminds me of my time at MoMA in NYC 😀😍
April 30th, 2016  
This is fabulous!! Love it.
April 30th, 2016  
This reminds me of a Bill Brandt - which is a great compliment.! I reckon if you cropped the right and put her even more in the corner this would look awesome!
April 30th, 2016  
I love this photo. It's part of being a teenager. I was a high school teacher, and when my oldest daughter went through this stage I remember being immersed with teen moodiness/dramas 24/7 between work and home. Yikes. She is beautiful, and you captured it well in this photo.
April 30th, 2016  
We are all so critical of ourselves and it is harder for teenagers, they are trying to find out who they are. At least she has the loving support of her family. She will come through this stage and when she does you can give me some tips on how to get my two through it, the teenage years are not that far away.
April 30th, 2016  
I really love what you've done here. It's a fantastic photo and shows real emotion. Great job xx
April 30th, 2016  
Wow you've captured a story here Kim, teenagers are so critical of themselves, I'm sure she will out grow this with the support of her family. Hang in there it can be a rough ride!
April 30th, 2016  
really lovely portrait.
April 30th, 2016  
Really love your processing on this. Highlights both her artwork and her self confidence. She a beautiful girl who has tremendous skills.
April 30th, 2016  
It's not your style at all, but it is really beautiful. And so is the story. Your daughter is gorgeous!
April 30th, 2016  
It is a good capture and almost a story in one. Love the colours in that one highlighted picture.
April 30th, 2016  
Lovely shot and she did a beautiful job.
April 30th, 2016  
Great shot, like it, love your processing too and title. Moody daughters yep I know about that especially with my youngest 19years. But we do have lovely times together and that's what helps me cope...
April 30th, 2016  
Nice capture, don't worry it's typical teenage hormones at work and lack of self confidence !! All age curable:-).
April 30th, 2016  
They are so vulnerable & unsure at that age, thinking everyone is looking or talking about them, it will pass & she will grow into a confident happy adult. So many pressures on teenagers these days! Her painting is lovely & was picked for the wall so glad you caught the moment!
April 30th, 2016  
I think this photo is beautiful! I agree with Pat - vulnerable is a good word to bring in here. On feels this vulnerability here and she also feels lost. But at the same time, there is this bright piece of art to back her up! So nicely done.
April 30th, 2016  
A beautiful moody shot... Clearly she's her own worst critic...
April 30th, 2016  
A great composition and a beautiful capture and processing.
April 30th, 2016  
Oh dear but a moody capture
April 30th, 2016  
Its a great capture, love the focus, my son is the same with his Music! He has wonderful talent but is his own worst critic!! Her Painting is great!
May 1st, 2016  
I really like the processing, and it definitely captures the mood of the moment...and it makes me a little terrified of the next few years as my oldest is nearly a teenager...!
May 1st, 2016  
I like it a lot
May 1st, 2016  
This is beautiful, a real story within-one-frame, even if it's not the story you were hoping for that day:-)
May 1st, 2016  
Wonderful shot. Keep staying out of the comfort zone!
May 1st, 2016  
Great shot which paints the picture perfectly, your daughter will be proud of her talents one day.
May 1st, 2016  
Love htis picture! the darker mood brings your eye to the picture that pops!
May 1st, 2016  
Lovely selective colour shot :)
Maybe write your daughter a note about her paintings. I cringe -and get defensive and minimise my contributions- when someone praises something I've done verbally, but I get the warm fuzzies if someone writes about it so I can read it later when I'm on my own. (For me it's an introvert thing... )
May 1st, 2016  
That´s sad. I hope someday she´ll see how amazing she is
May 1st, 2016  
Very unusual for you - but it tells the story perfectly.
May 1st, 2016  
Don't worry : she's still a teenager ;)
Even if she didn't want to see you at that moment she will remember you were there and will be grateful later. Your support and presence in these moments, when she's doesn't have enough confidence is so important.
And her painting looks pretty good !
And tell her she's a beautiful young lady !
May 2nd, 2016  
beautiful capture Kim, love your daughters expression, tells a good story. great how you presented this
fav
May 2nd, 2016  
The piece is beautiful and so id she! Kids are always too critical! I love this shot too! Great blur. Fav
May 2nd, 2016  
It's all part of growing up and it is painful when our children are faced with new challenges in life that mold them into the adults they will become one day.
May 4th, 2016  
I love the way you did this and I like the expression you caught too. It's authentic. very authentic.
May 4th, 2016  
Great capture of a teenage soul & hopefully she will appreciate this in years to come
May 7th, 2016  
Oh my gosh, she is STUNNINGLY gorgeous. And despite your own criticism of your own shot, I think it captures the, "her" mood...the moodiness of it and her expression. If we all took pictures of ourselves or loved ones looking "perfect" it' wouldn't be real life, would it?
May 12th, 2016  
This is a terrific photo. It tells a story simply but effectively. Your daughter is really beautiful by the way.
May 12th, 2016  
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