Marina Kim Art

Yesterday Jee Yeon and I with the kids spent part of the afternoon at Karen and Peter’s under the pretext to look at the chickens. Kids had a great time in the swimming pool, while we chatted on a very Mediterranean looking terrace, with the flag-stoned court and huge views over the valley.

Children were like little puppies, so sweet and lovable, with Ollie transcending into the stage of a touch older and danglier one. Jee Yeon keeps saying, how she doesn’t want them to grow up. This Sunday we went for a walk in a Fairlight Country Park (I think on the other end of the park they call it Hastings Country Park). We were walking along the path, and the four of them went in an indian file, brandishing sticks and chanting some made up song. Jee Yeon followed, then I. She said: “Oh, They are so cute! I don’t want them to grow up! Of course, Jiang Mi and Eva can produce one (child) each…” To which I said in a commanding tone “Children, as soon as you grow up, you have to quickly make some babies, so that Jee Yeon and I don’t get bored!” They ignored us on the account of being busy.

Two years ago I painted a portrait of Ollie, Peter and Karen’s son, and forgot to take a photo of it. Karen e-mailed it to me today.

Ollie Spencer

 I love portraiture, and I have many reasons why people should have their portraits painted.  It is unfortunate, that there is a stigma of a “vain thing to do” attached to commissioning a portrait – of oneself, or even of one’s family or friends. Sure, it involves time and money (and other more intangible things) to create a portrait. But it equally gives back. Let me put it this way: imagine, that your grandparents had their portrait painted in their time. Wouldn’t it be great for you to have it? And imagine, they shied away from it, reasoning that it was self-indulgent… What would be your advice to them?

In the house of one of our friends, when we only just met them, I saw a portrait of a grandfather as a boy of 10. It was a very good painting dating from the beginning of 20th century. The boy’s attitude was very well expressed – he wasn’t pleased to be there, sitting still, while a beautiful day and the cousins with the ball were just outside the window. That was the little story the hostess told me, while her boys along with their cousins and friends were running outside her window… That portrait created a link. A thin thread between generations was made material. Every portrait of any person, however insignificant he might be on a big scale of things, records the history. A history on a personal level.

I’ve visited Saint Ronan’s schoolthis morning to meet the headmaster William Trelawny-Vernon and his wife Emma for a sketching session. I am starting a portrait, featuring the couple. My thoughts are to make a conversation piece, to try and convey the family oriented spirit of the school. Today I made some sketches and took lots of photographs…

The building previously was a home. It belonged to the family who had the OXO gravy business, before the trust was set up and the building was given to the school. Mr. Trelawny-Vernon gave me a very quick tour around and it  is absolutely fantastically intriguing. The staff of the school all seem to be creating  a very family-like atmosphere.

A portrait commission by me will be auctioned at the Charity Summer Ball, which the school is holding to raise money for the Demelza House.  Today I made some sketches and took lots of photographs…