THE COMMISSION

In late fall, I was asked by Ida Caputo to create a painting as a departing gift for her esteemed boss, Lucie Tremblay who became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Ordre des infirmières du Québec (OIIQ). Ida told me that she and her colleagues wanted to get Lucie something meaningful. I was provided with heartwarming information about this exceptional woman who was greatly appreciated by her staff at DBMaimonides and Jewish Eldercare.

INPUT: 

     Lucie...

• worked with the elderly and loved to hold their hands;
• used a metaphor to describe her management style (conductor of a great orchestra); 
• received the Nursing Leadership Award in 2011;
• loved bright colours.

Ida placed a lot of emphasis on hand holding. Although my initial gut reaction was to work with the orchestra conductor concept, I nonetheless produced three quick, rough acrylic paintings for evaluation by the purchasing committee, two of which included hands.

                                     
I photographed my mother's hands to get some inspiration. I also undertook a great deal of visual research on women orchestra conductors. There were more out there than I had previously thought. 

I checked out Lucie on the Internet, read what was written about her, looked at photographs, and watched videos. I did not want to concentrate on getting a physical likeness, but rather her personality, which became clearer the more I learned about her. Interesting physical attributes also kept "shouting out" at me. One was the way Lucie wore her hair. It was short, brushed over to one side and had a tendency to flip over her right eye. It was also frequently streaked with exotic colours. This woman was neither robotic, nor was she afraid of risk. 

She also had an open, friendly, and engaging smile.

Ida sent an email at one point asking me how things were progressing. What follows is part of my response edited slightly for clarity purposes:  

I haven't done any sketches, I usually just paint, which is what I have done.  I have nearly completed one painting but don't think it is up your alley, it is somewhat surreal.  I photographed the arms and  hands of my 98-year-old mother, reproduced parts on canvas, including blue veins and ages spots, and also have a flower growing out of one of her arms. 

I have started two other paintings, one is of hands over other hands but I can't help thinking it looks like a fundraising ad; I don't want a trite image; young hands holding old hands is overused in my opinion although I think I can funk this one up a bit. 

I have also started another of a female conductor.  I will send you photos in progress but the paintings will most likely change quite a bit as I am an "alla prima" painter.  The colours on hands over hands are not right and in the third painting, the conductor's baton looks a bit like a murder weapon at present. 

Ida submitted the three suggested layouts  to her colleagues without comment, and they unanimously chose the interpretation of the conductor. 




Ida also mentioned that Lucie owned a magic wand and asked if there was a way to incorporate the element into the painting. She was worried that the baton and gloves looked bloody but I reassured her that the baton would not remain red and that the hands and arms would turn into gloves.

The painting below was presented to Lucie on January 17th and I was told that she loved it! 

May she enjoy it for years to come.