Portraits

As an artist. Or as a painter. When I look at a painting of a portrait. I first consider it as a painting. The portrait of the person is not important. People are born, grow, flesh replaces itself, food is eaten, weight is gained, lost, we get hurt, sickness, drugs are taken, eroding, moving, breathing, fucking, cancer, illness, love, addictions, children, conversations...

At the time these paintings were done Rose is / was 57 years old. I would say she has lived a hard life. Personal details of her life are personal. Her kind, non judgemental, friendly nature is why I asked her to sit for me. I have known Rose for several years. She lives directly across the street from my studio. I knew she would appreciate the money. She is on a fixed income and walks dogs for extra money.

Rose has a hard time sitting still. And she loves to talk... a lot. Silence is rarely acquired in the studio when Rose is present. She holds up the bulk of the conversation as I try to paint. It is really nice to not be alone in the studio. I really enjoy the company. As you might have gathered by the number of paintings I have completed thus far.

Rose is a very sensitive person. I did not intend to paint 6 portraits of Rose. But I just enjoy the time, conversation, company. So things are just developing.

Andre Newton (friend / poet / writer) gave me a chair. The chair is blue. I asked (requested) Rose to wear a red shirt / top. Red shirt, blue chair, and yellow. The yellow is added in the flesh tones and sunshine back ground.

Sometimes I feel like I managed to paint a good portrait. The next day I feel lost and negative about the same painting. In the moment - for a brief second... the painting is clear and makes sense. A clarity exists. In that moment my mind feels infinite and clean.

The spontaneity of the painting is alive. I could just take my palette knife and scrap everything away on the canvas. Start again. The painting is instantly dead. That moment of clarity disappears. Emptiness. Hours of working. Focused. Meditative creative flow. Eyes open extremely wide. The mind is so pure for a brief period of time.

Thank you

Patrick