Caveat: I did not paint the above portrait. It was painted by a friend, Kevin McEvoy.
Last week one of my favorite painter/bloggers, Kevin McEvoy, came to town.
I’ve been following his blog for a while, enchanted by his writing about his deep spiritual commitment to painting, his family, and to life. Plus, he plays Irish fiddle.
So when he blogged that he was coming to California, I was eager to meet the person who was at the other end of the keyboard.
Yes, I know, contacting someone off blog and meeting them in person can be a scary thing. But so far the few other bloggers I’ve met have been wonderful. And Kevin’s words and his paintings had an authentic ring to them; after reading this post and seeing this painting, I couldn’t believe he’d be a bad guy.
And he wasn’t! He and his wife and their friends were delightful. It was such a pleasure to meet them, see his paintings in person (they’re wonderful) and have some tunes with Kevin. And then, best of all, he asked the fiddler to pose for a demonstration painting. And he gave us the painting!
Mockingbirds at midnight 
Fascinating, Maggie. . . and, yes, what a great piece about McEvoy’s teaching. . . Is that you in the far-right corner of the little filmstrip, playing tunes? I’m planning to take recorder lessons beginning in September after first having the desire in my teens. Some goals take a while. 😉
Thanks Chris. Yes, that is me!
Glad to hear you’re letting music into your life. Perhaps one day we’ll have some tunes together.
Maggie, what a pleasure to read your blog, and now to read this! It was so nice meeting you, and please thank “The Fiddler” for posing. It was really nice painting with him, I seldom find a portrait sitter who knows so many of the obscure Irish airs, reels, jigs and dirges by name. I hope to be back to California at some point in the next year! My wife and I are so glad to have met you guys, thank you again.
Kevin! It is great to hear from you. The Fiddler says you’re welcome. He enjoyed doing it. When you come back to California, let me know and we’ll have some tunes and talk about painting.