A Bit More...

To the right you see the finished portrait.

When I paint a subject's portrait, I resolve to present them in a flattering manner but to also present them with interest and sensitivity to their individual essence. Just a bit more for the real person, please.

Too often I see traditional portraits like a very successful business man posed with re-bar up his spine and hidden by a suit and tie that appear made of tested steel. Yes, the man looks good but often he who looks like man of steel really has the warm and exciting entrepreneurial personality that those who do not know him will never experience.

And bless his grand children for they will know Grand Dad as the frozen one over the mantle, the one that won't thaw no matter how warm the fireplace flame.

The pensive stare over the decorative grate to the street beyond by the young woman of this painting, sitting overdressed in the afternoon poses questions of why, who, where that demand answers. Those answers tell of the woman, the human, not like the man of steel.