Sayid - Berber Guide Morocco

Sayid was our Berber guide in Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. He put on traditional dress and took many photos with our group.  It was interesting to learn about the Berber people from him. They are called the Amazigh, or free people, and have their own language and traditions. They are known for jewelry, henna art, pottery and weaving.  Many continue nomadic traditions. 

Watching Tourists: Boy from Esna, Egypt

This young boy from  Esna, Egypt is watching the tourists pet his young goat and baby camel. I wonder what he was thinking......? Our guide knew the family.                                                              

                                                                            

Sadhu in Sri Meenakshi Temple

This is a Sadhu or holy man I encountered outside the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Kerala, India.  Sadhus are religious ascetics respected by Hindus and Jains.  There are Kumkuma powder markings on his face.

oil on board
Size - 18" x  24" x 5/8"
Price - $650 + $45 shipping 

Uzbekistan - Cotton Picker

This woman is a cotton picker from Uzbekistan. She came up to me to have her picture taken as did many of the women.  I thought she was one of the most interesting. The scarf protects her face from the cotton dust as she works. 

My painting was accepted in the 2019 Marin County Fair!

Size: 20" x 20" x 1 3/8"
Price:  $650 + $35 shipping 

Current and Upcoming Exhibits

               
       

The above study of Le Chinois after Carpeaux is now framed.  You can see it hanging at the Corte Madera Library through February 23.  The price is $400.

                                

12/6/2019 - 1/23/2020
Corte Madera Library

707 Meadowsweet Dr.
Corte Madera, CA 94925
Closed Fridays

Reception: 12/12/2020
                  2 - 4:00 pm

                                                                             

Hallet in the News

In the style of Rembrandt - Girl in Red

This young girl dressed in red was cropped from photograph that included her mother. I suggest it is painted in the  the style of Rembrandt because of the lighting on the face and the hair disappearing into a dark ground.

oil painting
20" x  20" x 1 3/8"
$500 + $35 shipping

Commission Portrait Process

The commission process is a leap of faith. To keep it down to earth, I like to have a written contract with the client that specifies expectations and quantifies changes. A 30% non refundable advance is required before I start work.  Portraits are $500 for one face and $1000 for two faces.

Here are some guidelines for working with me to achieve a commissioned portrait that you will love.

1.  Provide a photograph that is crisp,clear and has a strong light source.  A good photo for painting is not a snapshot.  Expert lighting will give the face dimension and add interest.

There are professional photographers available at places like Blink  that take 100 photos for a nominal fee:  $25 for 10 minutes + $10 a photo.

 2.  While some artists use a projector to transfer a photo to the canvas, I like to use a grid and hand draw the face. I find that a 2:1 ratio works well on my 20" x 20" canvases.  The finished painting is classically inspired but has a contemporary look because the square canvas is unexpected. Negative space frames the face so it commands attention.

3.  The third step in my process is a line drawing that maps the key elements of the face on the canvas as well as the position of the head. How the face is placed on the canvas will be discussed with you in advance.

Think of this as a cartoon. It should have the look of the subject, but it is not a fully realized drawing and will not convey the essence, or personality of the subject.

4. The grisaille is the where the rubber meets the road.  This is a tonal painting that sets the values of the face for the addition of color. I like to use burnt sienna because it is a flesh tone.  At this point the client should see the face of the subject in the painting.


I like to assess the results with the client at this stage by direct conversation. The number of changes will have been agreed in advance per the contract.

If after changes have been made, and the client is still not satisfied, the project will be terminated. The 30% fee is non -refundable.






5. Color is the final stage. 

A commissioned work is going to be hung in a room in your home. Where  the painting will be placed gives me information about the colors to use for the background and clothing.  These will be discussed at this stage and agreed upon.

Painting is sold.

Local Tourist in Kiva, Uzbekistan

The oil painting on the left shows the beauty of age. The woman has tied back her hair in a style typical of the Central Asia region.  Gold teeth are a sign of wealth in Uzbekistan.


Size: 20" x 20" x 1 3/8"
Price:  $500 + $35 shipping

Namaskaram

           

                                                 

The photo of this boy was taken in Madurai, Tamil Nadu at the Meenakshi Temple. 

In the south of India holding the hands together in greeting is called namaskaram which is the same as namaste.   

Size: 20" x 20" x 1 3/8"
Price:  $500 + $35 shipping

Girl from Kerala

This young girl was standing on the side of a canal in the backwaters of Kerala, India.  I was attracted to her impish face and kohl lined eyes. The kumkum mark on her forehead means she has been at a religious festival.

Her actual corsage was made from ribbons, but I changed it to orchids because so many are cultivated in Kerala.

Extreme monsoons and flooding are laying waste to this state and its people now, August, 2018.




oil on canvas
size - 20" x 20" x  1 3/8"
price - $500 +$35  shipping

Julia Knitting in Puno, Peru

Julia knit sweaters for Hallet Handknits during the 1980's.  She is wearing the typical apron and bowler style hat used by the Quechua Indians of the altiplano. Note the circular knitting needles. This made the finished sweater seamless at the sides.

oil on canvas

size - 20" x 20" x 5/8"

price - $500 + $35 shipping

Pa O Woman Myanmar

This Pa O woman is a towel seller from Myanmar. She has a towel wrapped around her head and in her arms are more towels. The turban head dress is typical and often red.

The Pa O are the seventh largest ethnic minority in Burma and the second largest in the Shan State. They are believed to be of  Tibeto-Burman lineage, and share the language and culture of the Karen people.

Unlike the Rohingya, they are a recognized ethnic group in Burma and Buddhist. However, due to military conflicts and lack of economic opportunity, many Pa O have migrated to northern Thailand.

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