Saturday, January 22, 2011

A year of portraits...

It's been 6 months since I graduated with my MFA. And sadly it's been at least that long that I've failed to pick up my pencils or watercolors. I've never been one of those artists who just draws all day long... I need a project with deadlines and some accountability. So I either go for years of counseling to dig into my past and find out why, or I just give myself a project and give myself a reason to keep my feet to the fire. Call me a coward, but I chose the project.


We were visiting friends last week, and I was talking about this with their daughter, Rachel– a lovely, gifted young lady who has the makings of fine photographer. She was pouring out the same lament to me, that working full time has kept her from challenging herself more. So, right there at the dinner table we committed to posting a piece a week on our respective blogs. She will post a photograph, I will post a portrait. If you ask me, she got the sweet end of the deal, but if keeping my commitment makes her better at her craft, then I'm up to the challenge.


Since I've never done a portrait of my youngest daughter, Emma, I decided that would be a great start. For those of you who may not know, you can click on the image for a larger version.




So here's my first of 52 portraits. I ask you, dear reader, to prod and push me as well. And please encourage Rachel as she endeavors to grow creatively.



5 comments:

wilderimages said...

You know I will nag you. k

wilderimages said...

Love your style. Can't wait for more. --Lois

peg nocciolino said...

Ed,
Love your portraits..It's good to challenge ourselves...I'll be watching

Mollie B. said...

Ed, fun to see the Emma portrait! (Tell the girls I said "Hi!".) If you're doing 52...then I'd play with a theme of Emma for a couple weeks. You've caught her expression but the graphite is almost too refined. See if you can capture her playful spirit in the way you approach the value/rendering...I don't mean a caricature, but try to bring the sense of colorful play from the hair and background into the rest of the features.

Kerby Gernander said...

Ed,
Wow! Love the portrait of your daughter Emma. Your work is just awesome! The sketch you did when you were three was fun to see. I think about my own childrens gifts and talents that are buried and when they might emerge. I am looking forward to speaking with you! Kerby