"The whole experience of painting any portrait is underpinned by a deceptively intense dynamic - the artist has to carefully observe someone who is, at the same time, observing them."
I love getting to see your artwork here— but especially with the commentary alongside. The ones you included are all so different. That self portrait is so mysterious and the biographer so direct. And both work! Is there any common thread you always aim for or is each one driven by the sitter?
Thanks, Victoria! It’s great to hear that. In answer to your question, I often like to think that each portrait is driven primarily by the sitter, but there probably are ‘threads’ that link my portraits together. For example, even if I hone in on my sense of their anxieties and fears: the people I paint are rarely depicted as self-effacing or withdrawn. I always seem to portray them as relatively assertive and secure in who they are - as telling the viewer “This is who I am. My identity/life/reality is challenging and complex, and I’m not perfect, but I’m a fighter/survivor - I have my own unique strengths and qualities, and the right to be myself and shine’.
Hope neither of you, James and Victoria, will mind me adding to your dialogues tprstehr than simply posting a reply of my own. However, what you both say reflected some of what I was thinking about the prose and the portraits in your post, James. I really like it.
My own view is that, deep down, beneath the insecurities and anxieties, we all have that inner confidence/charisma. It’s part of our essential nature. ✨
I agree, portraits can be very intimate. I've mostly explored them as a photographer which is a bit different, but there is still that feeling of watching and also being watched. Lovely to see your work!
I love getting to see your artwork here— but especially with the commentary alongside. The ones you included are all so different. That self portrait is so mysterious and the biographer so direct. And both work! Is there any common thread you always aim for or is each one driven by the sitter?
Thanks for this!
Thanks, Victoria! It’s great to hear that. In answer to your question, I often like to think that each portrait is driven primarily by the sitter, but there probably are ‘threads’ that link my portraits together. For example, even if I hone in on my sense of their anxieties and fears: the people I paint are rarely depicted as self-effacing or withdrawn. I always seem to portray them as relatively assertive and secure in who they are - as telling the viewer “This is who I am. My identity/life/reality is challenging and complex, and I’m not perfect, but I’m a fighter/survivor - I have my own unique strengths and qualities, and the right to be myself and shine’.
Hope neither of you, James and Victoria, will mind me adding to your dialogues tprstehr than simply posting a reply of my own. However, what you both say reflected some of what I was thinking about the prose and the portraits in your post, James. I really like it.
Thanks, Nicolas. It’s great to hear this.
You’re very welcome. I really like the whole assertive, secure sense of self point you make. It can be a very attractive trait.
My own view is that, deep down, beneath the insecurities and anxieties, we all have that inner confidence/charisma. It’s part of our essential nature. ✨
Really lovely artwork, James!
Thanks, Naomi!
I agree, portraits can be very intimate. I've mostly explored them as a photographer which is a bit different, but there is still that feeling of watching and also being watched. Lovely to see your work!
Thanks! ✨
Your Self-Portrait with a Head of Flowers is sublime.
Thanks, Fotini. 💐