Contact Portrait Project

Fertile Ground

2012-04-10T01:52:00.000-04:00

Oil /canvas, 20x20 inches

I was genuinely inspired by Mr. Fred Roessler, whose self-portrait photos are elegant in their simplicity and filled with a delightfully uplifting sense of humour. If I could adopt him as a muse, I would surely do so.

His self portrait entitled Pasture, lead me to think of the pasture that the ceramic lamb sits upon to be a very fertile ground for endless ideas and inspirations. The cogs in the sky are the workings of a rich imagination and the landscape is filled with other possible ideas in the guise of sheep.

The Sun's Embrace

2011-12-16T00:19:00.000-05:00


Oil/Canvas, 18 x18 inches

There is nothing more beautiful then the feeling of inner peace and well being. It makes us glow and world around us is illuminated with joy. This painting is inspired by the dreamy and playful self-portraits of Mysi Anne.

32 Flavors

2011-12-09T14:41:00.001-05:00

oil, gold leaf on wood panel, 12 x 16 inches, 2011

There are moments in life when a woman will question her self worth. When confronted with rejection we can feel vulnerable, insecure and ugly, in spite of the strength and beauty that is the force of life inside of us.

When I saw the self portrait photo created by Mygigi, I was compelled to paint it. The title comes from a song written by Ani Difranco.

This painting was shown in a recent exhibition at Galerie de la Ville in Dollard des Ormeaux

Here is a close-up:

Shadows in the Night

2011-06-17T13:16:00.000-04:00


oil/canvas, 14 x 14 inches

A portrait is more than a depiction of the person-subject, it is an encounter between two people. When this encounter is a virtual one, as is the case with the paintings in this project, I enter into the world that the artist-photographer creates and allow myself to explore different venues of interpretation.

Bex Finch is the inspiration behind this painting. The title of her self-portrait: ''Threatened by shadows at night, and exposed in the light'' became the point of departure for a journey into the theme of night. I have recorded my impressions of this journey in a short process video.
You can see it in HD at You Tube.

Girl with a Towel

2011-04-15T00:18:00.000-04:00

charcoal/bristol , 14 x 17 inches

This drawing was inspired by Miss Aniela, a photographer from Great Britain. When I saw her self portrait it reminded me of Vermeer's painting of "Girl with a Pearl Earing''. I was particularly drawn to her critical expression as she looks out at us over her shoulder.

Mysi Anne

2011-04-05T22:46:00.000-04:00

Graphite/Bristol, 14x17 inches

It's been far too long since I have posted anything. If you look on my other blog BMF Art, you will see that I have been busy with teaching and stuff. I hope to be getting back to posting more portraits here in the coming months.

This portrait study is of Mysi Anne, a photographer living in Indiana.

''Après moi, le déluge''

2010-09-14T23:01:00.000-04:00

20 x 22, oil/canvas, 2010

This painting has been inspired by Sophie Wilson, a graphics student from England. Her engaging self portrait photos have a whimsical quality whose spirit I wanted to capture in this painting. A graphite study of Sophie was posted earlier this summer.

The famous expression, ''Après moi, le déluge'', (After me, the deluge) which is most often attributed to Louis XV is apparently more likely to have been said by his mistress Madame de Pompadour, while having her portrait painted by Quentin de la Tour in 1757. * What a splendid historical anecdote to underscore the intentions of this painting!

*References:
Tradición Clásica
Grasping Reality with Both Hands
Liberté

One With the Night

2010-07-26T16:48:00.000-04:00

oil/canvas, 11 x 14 inches

There is a certain mystery when painting a portrait of someone that I have not personally encountered. This painting was inspired by Jezika, an artist and musician who has posted many creative self-portraits on Flickr. Motivated by the enigmatic and symbolic manner in which she portrays herself to the world, I chose to respond in a similar fashion.

Sophie

2010-07-15T14:07:00.000-04:00


Graphite on Bristol, 12x16 inches

This is a graphite portrait inspired by Sophie Wilson's self portrait. I was taken by the intensity of her expression, which comes through in many of her images.

It is a preparatory drawing that will be the basis of a larger painting. It built up with many layers of graphite pencil, working from 4H to 2B. It is a very slow drawing process that takes just as long to complete as a painting, perhaps even longer.

Timeless

2010-07-05T01:39:00.000-04:00

11x 14, oil/canvas

This portrait was inspired by Heather. When I saw her self-portrait I immediately thought of Renaissance and Neoclassical paintings. It is truly a classic feminine pose that called out to me. Thinking along these lines, I chose to do a monochromatic study reminiscent of the conté drawings that are characteristic of traditional academic art.

Somewhere Else

2010-06-13T14:35:00.000-04:00


oil/canvas, 11x14 inches

This portrait is inspired by Sami Tiapale, an amateur photographer living in Finland. His dramatic self portraits portray a man who is deeply pensive. Even when looking at you directly, there is a feeling that he is looking beyond you. In this painting, my goal was to depict the depth of his expression and the feeling of being in another place.

The Truth is Unveiled

2010-06-07T13:32:00.000-04:00

Oil/canvas, 11x14 inches

This is Adrian. I wanted to create the sense of surprise and awe of this priceless expression. I could never imagine a model holding this pose for the amount of time it takes to make a painting.

Painting Process

2010-06-05T00:18:00.000-04:00

It is interesting to record the changes in a painting as it evolves and I would recommend it to everybody. The teacher in me has me wanting to make small animations of the painting process that are a result of the photo documentation. Like anything it takes a bit of practice; I hope someone will find it useful.

Melancholy Smile

2010-06-03T02:40:00.000-04:00

oil/canvas 11x14 inches

This is Tori. I was taken by her delicate features and the almost translucent quality of her skin. She seems almost ethereal but her photos tell a different story.