Painting... a labor of love.

"Each day I go to my studio full of joy; in the evening when obliged to stop because of darkness I can scarcely wait for the morning to come...My work is not only a pleasure, it has become a necessity. No matter how many other things I have in my life, if I cannot give myself to my dear painting I am miserable." - William Bouguereau

I can surely identify with Bouguereau's quote above... I feel complete when painting. I must confess that many times it is a struggle and labor but always a labor of love.

William Bouguereau is one of favorite artists to study and cover. I love his timeless portraits of common folks as seen in their natural settings.

Original "Le Baiser" by Bouguereau 1863 (translation "The Kiss")

My version... "A Pondering Heart" after Bouguereau... 7x5" Oil on Canvas Board by Bernie Rosage Jr. (Click on image to enlarge)

I was inspired by his original painting, "Le Baiser" and Luke 2:19 to produce this cropped version as a head study.... "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart"...