Art Notes:

When I painted this piece,I had been wanting to try a portrait but was very intimidated. I distinctly remember discussing my fear with friends and family and receiving a lot of encouragement which helped me decide to try. It was my first and (so far) my last portrait piece. I don't know if I'll ever do another. Not for me to know at this point. But, I find it interesting that I titled it "Portrait #1" - as if I envisioned more to come. Who knows, maybe I knew something then, that my future self has yet to learn!

While painting this piece, I did really enjoy the process of simplifying the light and shaded values of the reference portrait to distill and interpret into my own style. I remember her hair going through several iterations and transformations before landing at this expression.

Looking at this painting - now 8 years later, I see so many elements I would develop differently and perhaps, this indicates an interest in creating more portrait pieces soon? It really is a beautiful photograph, capturing a mood, light, shadow and intensity not seen often.