Looking deep into another eyes reveals their inner self, the true person within the body. Sometimes we never get to see the inner being of another or even ourselves. In my portrait paintings I want to dive deep and bring forth this beautiful powerful being and merge it with the outer features so when the portrait is viewed one can rejoice in this complete dynamic being. It is a connection, a loving connection, to the person and shared through paint with the sitter as well as with all who view the portrait.
My art does not just repeat the obvious but it explores the unknown and the unseen. In portrait painting I search for the essence of my sitter, for the deep and beautiful person. Slowly as I search for the shapes and colors of the face I am entering inward to the pure self and bring it into the painting for all to see and feel. Tapping into the inner beauty of a person is like falling in love with that person. I become so aware of their magnificence and by painting this magnificent all who view the picture can get a glimpse of this extraordinary person and they to can have a moment of pure love for them. I imagine that when a portrait is admired by another in someway that person is holding the sitter in reverence and this energy finds its way back to the sitter as a special honoring, maybe like blowing them a sweet kiss. The sitter also gets a peek into their unique beauty as they look into the depths of themselves in their own portrait. If one can see their glory if even for a moment they then have a better understanding of their beauty and can chose to bring that into the world in a more confident manner.