Champagne Lunch

I observed the composition of "Champagne Lunch" spontaneously at a wedding reception at the Biltmore Estate. I saw the light coming through the windows and lighting up the table. I loved the way the backs of the young ladies show that they are interested in talking to the guests across from them. I enjoyed painting the structure of the chairs to give geometry to the scene. I hope the viewer feels drawn into the painting, wondering what they are talking about and sensing the celebration of the afternoon. I painted the figures to the right much more loosely, to include them for the party atmosphere but to paint them lightly so as not to detract from the central group.