There's a part in "Clueless" where Cher refers to someone as being like a Monet because a Monet painting is clear and beautiful from afar but if you get to close you just see a mess, splotches of paint hiding a canvas. This made me think of how we sometimes deal with challenging issues in our lives. We get so close that all we see are the blemishes defeating the image we are in search of.
Step back as far as possible and allow the compostion to emerge and the answers will follow. This is the point of clarity and sometimes that clarity will show that restoration is needed. But you must step back to discern if renewal is needed, where it should start, how much is necessary, and what really shouldn't be altered.
If the picture is still too blurry and your eyes strianed. Then reach out for your spectacles to help you find clarity. I do mean spectacles in the sense of people, wonderful, spectacular people. They may be family or friends or an restoration specialist.
In closing, please remember that all art can be restored, maybe not to perfection or even close, but it can be restored if needed and warranted. So while viewing the portrait use compassionate eyes.....because tolerance is always important no matter how the point gets across to you.
KLN
