There is nothing to compare to the intimacy of bringing a person’s face to life. Refining a likeness leaves me much more sensitive to who they are and this sensitivity is acute where the likeness is not close enough. It brings home how fine-grained are all our working observations of a person’s appearance.
I particularly enjoyed doing the painting of Christina, both for the portraiture and for the surroundings in our backyard, where I could take greater liberties. Here is a recap of how that piece unfolded.
Joe Reilly, Jr., 2024, oil on canvas, 18”x 24”
Telling a Tale, 2024, oil on canvas 18” x 24”
Christina and Meghan, 2023, oil on canvas, 16” x 20”
Christina 2021 oil on canvas 36’ x 36”
Dad & Uncle George 2021 oil on canvas 30” x 40”
Lisa 2020 oil on canvas 20” x 24” (L Nuñez Hancock)
George R. 2016 acrylic on canvas 14” x 18”
Duff Dorrough 2022 oil on canvas 16” x 20”
Ann, Pat, and Mule, 2023 oil on canvas 18” x 24” (Dickens)