The photographer in me seeks to capture the briefest moment in time. I seldom do this with portraits. Catching spontaneous moments in people's faces requires stealth, intimacy, and hubris. Well, I think it does. You have to have confidence that you have the right to get up in someone's space and captures a private moment. … Continue reading Portrait Project Six – Capturing the moment
Portrait Project Five – Finding the right combination of isms to ask a question
Cubism is or can be a simple form of expressionism. One can pull in colour combinations from Fauvism; play with minimalism, and still stay inside the concepts of expressionism. For me, there is always one point of reference for what the portrait is trying to say... it's usually in and/or around the eyes. With or … Continue reading Portrait Project Five – Finding the right combination of isms to ask a question
Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Boiling down the essence of expressions is an instinct I think most artists resist. We are often trained to focus on detail and realism. Focused observation can reveal hints of emotion and even exact emotions, but so does a photograph. Perhaps, letting go of the real and just allowing the heart to express what it … Continue reading Portrait Project Four – The Essence of Emotion
Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
I didn't intentionally start with this pallet, but the first colour down was black, then a rich raw-sienna. It felt like the rest should stay in the earthy tones. Everything from that point forward was umber-like. I added a little teal to one cheek to give a little tension and it ended up all over … Continue reading Portrait Project Three – In Awe of Imperfection
Portrait Project Two – Finding a love of Grayscale
I felt compelled to try a more monochrome portrait here. I just adore the emotions and tensions offere3d in grayscale. It feels cinematic and gothic. I feel this one is a great success of tone and expression. I plan on playing more with this palette. Subject: I have to give credit to my inspiration for … Continue reading Portrait Project Two – Finding a love of Grayscale
Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
In my ongoing attempt to overcome my discomfort with portraiture, I decided to do the part I really love... painting faces from imagination. First, I have to give credit to my inspiration for the next few paintings: Juan Martinez Parente. He found me on Pinterest and I've fallen in love with the faces he paints. … Continue reading Portrait Project One – Following an inspiration
Self-Portrait Project 4 – I only see myself in my eyes
Again moving the selfie around to get different dimensions of my face... I managed to distort my perception enough o almost lose myself completely. I still see my eyes. I heard once that all portraitists paint something of themselves into every portrait they paint. This comes from the hours spent observing themselves to practice painting. … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project 4 – I only see myself in my eyes
Self-Portrait Project 3 – Looking into my own eye for a memory
I flipped and moved the focal point of one of my selfies to give myself a good staring into my own eye. I needed to see something there... something I was expressing. Without my glasses on my eyes often look very sleepy, old, and tired. But inside I feel very young and curious, especially when … Continue reading Self-Portrait Project 3 – Looking into my own eye for a memory
Self-portrait project 2 – How I feel when painting the unfamiliar.
I warped the selfie on my phone for the model on this one. I observed it for a few minutes and then painted from memory. As soon as the outlines went down on paper I was aware that I was channelling feelings about my age. I couldn't figure out why I let my nose remain … Continue reading Self-portrait project 2 – How I feel when painting the unfamiliar.
Why a Certification as a Home Educator?
Part of how I've been describing myself as a teacher is being an educator with a teaching philosophy based on STEM / STEAM curricula, Universal Design for Learning, Emergent Curricula, and Maker-oriented education systems. If I had to say what theories/methods I use the most, I would be taking about aspects of Reggio-Emilia, Montessori, Waldorf, … Continue reading Why a Certification as a Home Educator?
The New Renaissance Mindset 