To paint a portrait of Marilyn Monroe was never high up on my list. At least not the way she looked after she was discovered and became a living pinup. So when I found the reference photo I used for the portrait I ended up painting of her, I was both surprised and happy It was a very innocent Norma Jean Baker in her teens and before she was officially discovered. And it was the innocence mixed with hope in her eyes that made me want to paint this.

Sometimes painting in color can be easier since black and white requires you to make sure that every little detail is where it should be. But this portrait would have been weird in color, so I decided to paint it in black and white.

[View with PicLens]