Portrait of Gay Deiger

As a docent at the Toledo Museum of Art, Gay Deiger became familiar with the work of Leslie Adams and commissioned a portrait by the Artist. At the Museum’s 100th Anniversary gala, the artist states, “I saw Gay in the portico wearing the Miyake gown – a classic, timeless piece. The juxtaposition of marble and flesh, coldness and warmth, stasis and movement was captured in a moment. Her nature, beautiful and imperfect, was exposed and eternalized. My inspiration.”

Ms. Deiger shares the artist’s belief that portraiture is an intimate collaboration between artist and subject. In a letter she wrote, “I wanted to express my thanks for the manner in which you included me in the process. It was a privilege to be part of it from start to finish. You asked the right questions, and more importantly, sifted through all of our conversations to make the right choices for the painting. In the end, it was all about your eye and hand and heart that enabled you to reveal the human figure in a manner that was authentic and individual.”

Gay Deiger became not only the artist’s patron and subject, but also, her friend.
 

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