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Oil Portrait of a Public Personality as a Surprise?

oil portrait of a public personality - Dr. Earl Mindell

Oil Portrait of Dr. Earl Mindell

The air buzzed as my husband and photographer, Gerry Chromoy, and I embarked on a clandestine mission. We were bound to silence from the President of Freelife International, Ray Faltinsky, who commissioned us to create a surprise oil portrait to honor their prized R&D professional and creator of unique health supplements.

We presented ourselves at the home of Dr. Earl Mindell in Beverly Hills. A luminary in the world of health research and literature, he had books such as The Vitamin Bible, The Herb Bible, and Prescription Alternatives to his credit. His wife, who was in on the plan, had urged her husband to get ready for a photo session to create images for the press pamphlet and life-size standup that he had requested.

As  the door opened, we found ourselves welcomed by the doctor’s radiant wife, GaiI. I couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty and secretly credit the doctor’s vitamins for their evident effect. Even the numerous ornate silver-framed family photos on the grand piano beamed the enduring vitality of the doctor’s children throughout their lives.

We moved seamlessly into the photoshoot. Our task was to capture Dr. Mindell in his natural element and gesturing with his hands. That is a signature pose for the renowned teacher and lecturer.

Once we were done there, it was then over to me to make the painting. The rim lighting that we captured in the photoshoot is always a favorite of mine and helps me to paint with vivid expression. I worked to portray the clarity of his thoughts and spoken words as he skillfully interacts with a captivated audience.

Then we took it to be framed at an exceptionally large frame house. While browsing through well-appointed rooms in a warehouse-sized facility, the owner happened to take notice of the painting.

Suddenly he was showing us his grandest creations, exclaiming how this portrait deserved the best. We agreed. We found the exact perfect one. And fortune continued to favor us—the owner was so dedicated by this time that he cut his prices to honor and please us.

Next the portrait was approved by Gail Mindell and then shipped to the Freelife annual convention in Texas. The unveiling unfolded with impeccable precision. It took Dr. Mindell by complete surprise. He was even stunned to silence, which Gail said “never happened.” 1200 people applauded. The Freelife President was very pleased with himself and his board.

Gail said: “My husband’s portrait is so lifelike that I feel that he could reach out and touch me. The expression in his eyes, the enthusiasm in his face—they’re perfect. Even apart from the physical, you captured his personality, his essence—it’s him! It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t take my eyes off it!”

There is another tale to be told in a future post. What might be a fitting background for a portrait of the doctor’s lovely wife Gail?

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