Capturing the personality of Floresmila!
A Quirky Painting
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The painting
A couple of years ago, I had the pleasure of creating a painting inspired by Floresmila, my dear friend Henny Rosero's crossbreed Dalmatian. Floresmila isn’t just any dog—she's a bundle of personality: goofy, bold, and unapologetically temperamental. This painting became an opportunity to capture her unique spirit, combining my artistic voice with my fond memories of this charming canine.
The Moment of Inspiration
The journey began with a simple Instagram story. Henny had shared a video of Floresmila sitting in the passenger seat of her car, her curious and slightly grumpy expression catching my attention. Something about that moment—her look, her attitude—flooded me with memories of past interactions with her. I quickly took a screenshot, knowing I had to turn that fleeting moment into something lasting.
Whats he doing?
Oh! he is on his phone again!
The moment of inspiration!
Bringing Floresmila to Life on Canvas
The painting was created on a 50 cm round canvas using oil paint, a medium I often use for its depth and texture. The circular shape posed an exciting challenge—it encouraged me to think creatively about the composition. My goal wasn’t just to replicate the photo but to stylize her character, exaggerating features to emphasize her spirit and personality.
To reflect the essence of her name and her bold nature, I surrounded Floresmila with a lily and balanced a sunflower on her head. These flowers weren’t chosen for symbolic reasons but as playful props that allowed me to explore vibrant colors and thick, textured brushstrokes. The result was an expressive portrait that felt alive with her temperamental yet endearing energy.
The Process Behind the Painting
My process began with sketching, where I experimented with shapes and compositions to capture Floresmila’s essence without directly copying the reference image. The challenge lay in balancing her goofy, grumpy nature with a composition that felt complete and harmonious.
The Round Canvas
A sketch-ready canvas
After several iterations and discussions with Henny, I settled on the perfect combination of elements. I searched for the right flowers to complement her bold character while giving me the freedom to play with proportions and color. The round canvas added another layer of complexity, but it also gave the piece a unique energy that matched Floresmila's personality.
Henny’s Reaction
When Henny saw the painting for the first time, her heartfelt smile said it all. It was a small but meaningful moment—one where I could tell she appreciated the effort to capture Floresmila's character and spirit. knowing the painting brought her joy was a great feeling and more than enough for me.
Why This Painting is Special
What makes this piece meaningful to me is how it allowed me to channel my memories of Floresmila into something tangible. It wasn’t just about painting her; it was about capturing how I felt in that fleeting Instagram moment and combining it with everything I knew about her. It became a tribute to her goofy, bold, and temperamental character, a reminder of the beauty found in even the quirkiest traits.
What I Hope Viewers Take Away
Through this painting, I want viewers to feel what I saw in Floresmila—a personality that’s as bold and textured as the paint on the canvas. I hope they fall in love with her unique charm and maybe even reflect on how we perceive temperamental or unconventional characters in our lives.
How This Painting Fits My Artistic Vision
This project embodies the elements I strive for in all my paintings: bold colors, textured brushstrokes, and a skewed perspective that nudges viewers out of their comfort zones. I aim to present a side of my subjects that feels fresh and unexpected—a version that might linger in the back of their minds but isn’t always easy to articulate. With Floresmila, I wanted to create something that’s as much about her as it is about how she made me feel.
