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Friday, April 19, 2013

Q is for Quite a Quandary

I need your help…

Last November I drew a portrait of a lovely young woman, from Ireland… she was going through a difficult time when her friend Matthew asked me to draw a portrait of her for her birthday.

I loved every pencil stroke that went into my finished piece; I rediscovered a passion I had long forgotten.

As the months have passed and my drawing continues I am looking for another subject.

Well… that’s not quite right - I have a subject in mind, but lack a photo that “speaks” to me.

I wish to draw a portrait of The Queen of England, Elizabeth ll.

Now, there are millions upon millions of pictures of this famous face - all with crowns, jewels and all the pomp and pageantry that accompanies being royal.

What I want to draw is The Queen in casual mode; the photo taken when she is not on duty, not on display; where she is The Woman behind her Queen persona; out having fun with family and friends.

Alas, these photos are hard to come by - hence I am in quite a quandary.

Yes, I have googled “queen elizabeth ll casual” and found this photo…


I like it, but I would love to see more of The Queen’s face.

Further, this photo is very small, only 82 KB, so I am unable to enlarge it beyond the size here which makes getting details very hard; not that I can’t improvise - I did with the photo of the young woman which was very soft in details.

I am bold enough to phone Buckingham Palace and ask what I should do in a case like this. I may very well be calling as this post gets published to see if they might oblige me with such a photo. (if I don't ask I'll never know)

However, it never hurts to ask YOU, my dear readers, if you might have in your possession a photo of The Woman behind The Queen… without crown, without diamonds and without duty dictating her expression. 

I would like it to be a recent photo, taken within the last few years.

If such a photo exists, and you are willing to share it, I would love to see it.


Do you have such a photo, or know of anyone that does?

Cheers, Jenny

Posted by at

25 comments:

  1. Bushman2:17 am

    I have a poster of Freddie Mercury. That's about as close to Queen as I can get! I almost used this word for my Q. Whewww!

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    1. Pearson Report9:32 am

      You did use Queen, but for N - which got me thinking... hahaha
      I'm so jealous of your creativity with the titles of your post. Several times I've found myself playing with the letters thinking wouldn't that be fun - ah, but I' shall not ride your coat tails... lest I be labeled a coat tail rider! (Al will have fun with this I'm sure)

      Okay... seriously, I just got off the phone with Buckingham palace - I'm just following through on their fist two suggestions, but... I think their last suggestion, of sending my request in writing to The Queen, might yield me better results.

      I'm on a mission... no telling where this will go!

      Delete
    2. Bushman3:12 pm

      My wife says its not creativity its crazy. Still a C word so it must be the same. Shouldve used that instead!

      Delete
    3. Pearson Report11:30 pm

      Nope, gotta disagree with the missus - but just this once. Mind you I guess we could double up with the C's and call you a Crazy Creative Creature... ohhh, look, three C's sitting in a row, first one said, Hey, where'd you wanna go...

      It's late, I should know better than reply or comment... signing off.

      And, Bushman... I'm glad you're hanging in with this challenge, tell your wife I say thanks to her for lending you her computer... how sweet is that! Good woman you got there! :) :)

      Delete
  2. Linda G.4:40 am

    Alas, I don't have a photo for you, but I really love the idea of a casual portrait of the Queen--a glimpse at the real woman beneath the crown jewels. Hope you find what you're looking for. :)

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    1. Pearson Report9:35 am

      Beautifully said - may I use "a glimpse at the real woman beneath the crown jewels" in a letter I'm drafting to send to The Queen, requesting a "casual attire" photo.

      Yes, I did call Buckingham Palace - quite the operation... and upon their suggestions (two for actual photography sites) and one to do a direct request - I tried the first two and will now send a note.

      Ah... the adventure is about to begin... stay tuned! :) :)

      Delete
  3. Elsie Amata5:21 am

    I don't have a photo but I wish you luck!

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    1. Pearson Report9:37 am

      Thanks Elsie - I'm on a mission. If all else fails (which is not an option at present) I will use the photo here - it is rather pleasing and I am inclined to think The Queen is smiling at something or someone she is fond of.

      Thanks for stopping by! :) :)

      Delete
  4. Martin8:31 am

    Sorry, I have to disappoint you as well. May your quest be quickly quenched, anyways ;-)

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    1. Pearson Report9:42 am

      Ooh, I like "may your quest be quickly quenched" - and yes, I hope so too!

      In light of my phone call to Buckingham Palace I now have a few options - I will keep everyone updated as to my success. (I won't entertain failing at this just yet)

      Thanks for dropping in, Martin - your visits here are alway appreciated. :) :)

      Delete
  5. Pearson Report9:39 am

    No worries, Karen, I thought this was a great place to ask - I'm a big believer in asking! Often the results are quite surprising.

    To which, I just got off the phone with Buckingham Palace - I will follow up on their suggestions, the last of which is a letter to The Queen... I am drafting it now.

    I hope you are enjoying your retreat... breathe in deeply for me while you are there. :) :)

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  6. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com9:42 am

    No such luck. She looks beautiful in that photo, but I can see why you want to view more of her face. I hope to hear the update on this; I hope the Palace not only responds but sends you a photo.

    Thanks for visiting my blog, too.
    Happy Friday.
    xoRobyn

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    Replies
    1. Pearson Report10:50 am

      I agree, Robyn, she looks beautiful and should all my attempts at finding one with more visible face I will use this one.

      The folks at the Palace were very pleasant - they gave me a few suggestions which I am following up on. I will be doing an update as to my progress.

      Thanks for stopping by! :) :)

      Delete
  7. D.G. Hudson10:39 am

    I don't have any photos, Jenny, I've never seen the Queen live. Good luck in your project! Guess you need to do research on location in London.

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    1. Pearson Report10:52 am

      I've also missed out on opportunities when The Queen has visited Canada. Yes, I think my last resort will be to go London... to visit The Queen. (there's a nursery rhyme about that, isn't there?)

      Thanks for stopping by, DG - alway a treat having you visit. :) :)

      Delete
  8. Lynn Proctor12:31 pm

    i wish you great luck with a very creative endeavor :)

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    1. Pearson Report5:25 pm

      Thanks, Lynn - I've been digging deep today; I've found a few photos that may just do the trick. :)

      Delete
  9. Outcast1:10 pm

    Damnit Jenny, I gave a quick Google for you and couldn't really find anything that would suit, like you say a lot of photos involve her wearing the crown. There's some of her with hats, with a wedding tiara on years ago and even some younger photos along with a few unflattering ones but none suit. I do wish you the best of luck though Jenny, you know how much I love your previous work and I know that this stuff is going to be equally as good, you've got to promise to keep us all updated on here though yeah?

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    Replies
    1. Pearson Report5:29 pm

      Hi Matt - a friend of mine has been helpful as to where else to look for photos - the trick is I would like something relatively current and casual.

      I called Buckingham Palace (meant setting my alarm clock) and they had several suggestions - the last being that I write a note with my request to Her Majesty and see what happens. So... I will do just that. (bold little Canadian am I) :) :)

      Thank you for your words of encouragement too - it will be a big undertaking, but I have long wanted to draw this amazing woman.

      Delete
  10. Leovi3:14 pm

    No, I have that picture, but the one you show is quite amazing!

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    1. Pearson Report5:31 pm

      Thank you, Leovi, for dropping in - seem everyone is in short supply of casual photos of The Queen. I agree, this one is quite amazing.

      Today, I have enlisted several friends to "go searching" and we have indeed been lucky - I will blog about it tomorrow. :) :)

      Delete
  11. Ruth12:42 pm

    I have seen things of her when she was younger playing with her children, but no still photos.
    Good luck with her highness!

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    1. Pearson Report5:52 pm

      Putting the word out has helped - today, Diane from Southamsdarling, who lives over in England, sent me some current (from yesterday's horse show) pictures. I think I may have found what I'm looking for.

      I'll be posting them as a quick update.

      Thanks for stopping by, Ruth - have a great Sunday. :)

      Delete
  12. Hilary Melton-Butcher8:49 am

    Hi Jenny ... I've no idea whether the two in this post will answer your 'prayer' ...
    http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2009/04/happy-birthday-her-majesty-queen.html

    .. and I've no idea of the sizes ...

    Cheers Hilary

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    1. Pearson Report10:01 am

      Hi Hilary - thanks for the link, I just checked it out. What beautiful photos. I would like to find a photo where The Queen is looking at the camera, but not "all royal" in her attire; something fun and casual. Such photos seem hard to find.

      Thanks for your interest in this project. :) :)

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Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

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