PHILOSOPHY/APPROACH

A portrait should never be a simple mirroring of an image, but rather, a true reflection of an individual. The first would be more akin to a "still life" - the art of painting inanimate objects. Portraiture on the other hand deals with the very vibrant lives of very real human beings, even when done posthumously. While this seems rather obvious, it is vitally important to always remember that the subject matter is humanity, not an inanimate likeness. That is why being an accomplished portrait artist requires more than being just an artist. It requires a specific human understanding and the ability to translate that to a two dimensional space. If you have ever seen portraits that appear flat or lifeless, you know what I mean.

A successful portrait consists of 3 levels – 1. an unmistakable physical likeness (which should be a given), 2. an emotional recognition, for example, a familiar look or expression which puts the viewer emotionally in touch with the portrait subject, and finally 3. a “liveliness” which makes the amalgamation of canvas, pigment and medium “human.” The portrayal is so natural and comfortable that the subject feels real.  You should not look at the canvas and see an image – you should see a person. As I put it, “When you look at the portrait’s smile, you find yourself smiling back.”

My objective is always fairly simple: to create a portrait that comes off of the canvas and into the room with the viewer, both physically and emotionally.

The illusion of bringing an image "off of the canvas" can be done with technique. However, connecting the viewer with the subject emotionally, and creating a human quality, is much more challenging. Capturing the subtle nuances of the individual requires not just artistic skill but an empathetic ability to see and read people, and identify their unique physical and emotional qualities. With regard to adults, it also requires the ability to identify broad personality themes evident in an individual’s life which help define that individual through their life’s work as uniquely human and important people.

A camera can do the first two levels, it takes the undefinable "human" abilities of a portrait artist to achieve the third. When successful – the result is truly a cherished heirloom.