Homage to my friend Sal, 1939-1986

A portrait must be more than simply a likeness of the subject, it must convey personality and character. And beyond that it must be a work of art in its own right, fulfilling my belief that art is defined as the metaphors with which we share our unique experience with the world. The artist discovers the subject through the filters of his or her own life, to the point where the process of creation is a dialogue with the suibject. (Sal Mineo, oil, 16x12")

Say "Cheese"

                                     Jack, oil, 8x6"

I’ve found that a major challenge facing me as a portrait artist is a smiling subject. From a strictly technical point of view, the complex musculature of the face creates a topography of hills and valleys, peaks and crevices that render the expression difficult to capture believably. It isn’t simply the mouth alone that is affected, the entire face is altered significantly, creating a myriad of value changes that require careful attention. Of considerably more concern, I believe, is what I’d call the psychology of the smile. A spontaneous smile is a delight, but to hold a pose smiling is deadly. Invariably the smile is not only forced, but accomplishes exactly the opposite of what the portraitist is trying to capture. It is a mask, that hides the true self of the subject. Few have risen to the challenge better than Franz Hals. I credit his Laughing Boy as an inspiration.