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For the first half of 2003, I was finishing up my undergraduate studies at Willamette University. And even as I was completing requirements and madly working on my theses, my thoughts turned to life after college. I knew I wanted to be an artist though I wasn't too sure what all being an artist entailed! |
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Somehow I got it into my head that portraits of recognizable faces, like Pelton's, would be an important addition to my portfolio. I figured that, if the viewer knew the subject, she-he would be more interested in the portrait. Willamette's President, Lee Pelton, was as famous as it got for me at the time. It took all the gumption I could muster, but I contacted the President's office and asked for twenty minutes of Pelton's time. I was already working then as I do now, from photos that I take during the course of a conversation with the subject, so a brief interview was all I required. Still, it seemed to a shy little art student like such an outrageous request. Sure, I was offering him a Gwenn Seemel original in exchange for some conversation, but I was not sure he would see the value of it. |
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| To my delight, he did. | ||
President Pelton became the first of what is now many well known subjects whose portraits I have painted in order to familiarize a larger audience with my work. Pelton said yes to me and, with his simple gesture, he helped me to understand that the world is there for the asking--not for the taking, but for the ASKING. I only need the courage to ask.
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Indeed, this experience led me to ask both television news personalities and public officials to sit for me. |
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