Ivy

Ivy is a fascinating young woman.  Among her many interests, she studies German at Temple University.  She asked too many good questions which got me talking instead of her talking.  I found that when portrait sitters did most of the talking, I made better portraits.

The way I think about it is this.  Since we have a visual brain and a logic brain, every time I dedicate time to language and talking, I don’t pay enough attention visually.  And seeing really is what good painting is about.  Just observing.  Rendering.  Then observing again.  Just rechecking my work again and again.  When I start thinking and forming words, ideas and responses to questions, I think the portrait tends to go downhill.  Though, I was pleased with this one.