BALINOFSKI

TIME OF DAY

My life in art has wonderful, dramatic moments. Here is one. I was on a cruise ship in the South Pacific and over at a window was this radiant lady sitting alone, peacefully looking out a window. The way the light glanced on her face told me, I must do a pastel of her. I had a member of the crew ask her name, and if she wouldn’t mind me doing a quick drawing of her sitting there. I quickly got my pastels, paper and drawing board and immediately went to work with my portrait of “Carmen.” She looked at me with curiosity, then turned her face forward and didn’t move. Once in a while when someone came by, she would give a slight smile. Passengers surrounded me, watching this strange happening. The mystery of Carmen continued as she allowed only small bits of expression show. Soon the ship started to dock, time was short. I finished, with not another stroke, and asked her to come see the results. She nervously walked over and stood beside me, then cast her eyes upon this portrait. Immediately, tears came to her eyes. I asked if she was OK and she said she never had anything done like this. She said it was wonderful and she was so happy and honored to have something so important happen. I felt my own tears coming and told her, “This portrait is now yours. I’m going to safely roll it and I want you to have it. For me it was the thrill of having you pose for me.” She was overwhelmed, couldn’t believe it. I rolled and taped it. I handed it to Carmen and walked away as she stood there smiling, like this was all a dream. Yes, my life is filled with such memorable moments.