“Mary” is the first portrait in a series, called “Persons of Interest”, that I’m painting to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial. Since coming to the Okanagan Valley, I have met some extraordinary people. As unassuming as many seem, they represent the finest elements of the Canadian character: friendliness and fair play, tolerance and respect, compromise and compassion.

This is my first portrait using old masters’ techniques that involve building up a tonal underpainting, followed by layers of translucent and coloured glazes. I used this approach in the flesh tone areas, while painting the rest in a more direct, contemporary style.