When is a portrait more than a portrait? I think that a portrait can be done as historical documentation or as art. HD usually (in my observation) is produced without a sitting and with heavy dependence, slavishness even, on a photograph. The resulting portrait looks eerily like a giant oil or pastel photo, or even worse like a badlly done photo. The step into art requires the ability and desire to push past the limitations of whatever camera captured the reference material. When the artist puts a little of him or herself into the painting, the portrait becomes a more encompassing, emotive article. It becomes desirable as decor. And after all, that’s the pinnicle of acheivement for an artist – desirable decor. Well, unless you are an angst and darkness artist. But that’s a whole ‘nother conversation.
Beth
18×24 on linen; $650
