THOUGHTS ON:  PORTRAIT SOCIETY OF AMERICA CONVENTION:  

A few of my painting buddies from the Tuesday Portrait group attended the Portrait Society of America Convention.  I must say I had my reservations but was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of work and variety of artist chosen to participate.   The highlight for me was the portrait demonstrations by two very different artist. Veteran Burton Silverman whose sensitivity to mark and ability to render form is remarkable and the energetic and witty Rose Frantzen's stories were as entertaining as her viruoso magic with the brush, Two great painters, two very different sensibilities, which supports my view that there really is no "right or wrong way" to paint, there is only your way. Sometimes attending a conference like this filled with talented artist can inspire and invigorate our own work. I highly recommend the conference to those who would like to meet firsthand the most successful portrait artist in the country. I was sorry to miss Jacob Collins demo.  I am sure his studied and analytical, cerebral approach was very different from other more active demos but this contemplative approach is definitely reflected in his beautiful work. As for the work in the People's choice exhibit. There were many strong pieces. My choice was Scott Burdick's "Quaker Gap Portrait", which was as interesting compositionally as it was a solid portrait. I loved the subdued quality of Michael Klein's "The Wash Girl", which hearkened back to the 19th c. French academic paintings of Bouguereau. I was intrigued by Ellen Cooper's Emma triptych. All and all a very fun day and gave me much to think about in my own figurative work."