Shepherding in a new era

This copycat poster using the French President’s likeness proves that Los Angeles artist Shepard Fairey’s iconic image of Barack Obama makes waves in the real world as well as in the art world.

From life

Is a portrait more true if it’s painted from life instead of from a photograph?  I don’t happen to think so, but I know a lot of people who do, so I decided to learn more about the logic of working from life by asking artist Tom Loepp about his more traditional—and maybe more romantic—way of painting a portrait. 

“Welcome to my hanging.”

There’s a scandal going on in Washington, and, for once, it’s got something to do with art!  When George W Bush unveiled his White House portrait recently, the President’s painted likeness was just the latest in a string of overpriced official portraits. 

Working from perfect mistakes to plausible corrections

I have to agree with Chris Haberman: that’s the only way to make a painting.

The separation of subject and portrait

It’s impossible to divorce a person from her-his face.  More than any other physical feature, a person’s visage comes to represent her-him as well as everything she-he believed in and stood for.  In that way, portraits have a certain extra power.  More than just the expression of the artist, a likeness wields the full force of the subject’s character.

Portrait of the artist as Web 2.0.

Artist Geoffrey Raymond turns portraits into a platform for comment and captures a moment in history. 

Why is portraiture kept apart?

According to art historian Charlotte Mullins, one of these paintings is a portrait and the other is not.  Mullins’ explanation of just why is as revealing as it is nonsensical.

A Brief History

A Brief History opened this evening at the Littman Gallery!

When a Presidential candidate is like a President…

...or, rather, when a whole lot of people hope he is.  Artist Ron English’s Obama-Lincoln mashup is just that latest manifestation of the phenomenon that is the Democratic Presidential nominee.

When a Presidential candidate is like a baby with candy.

Artist Jill Greenberg’s manipulated photos of Presidential candidate John McCain are nothing new: it’s the gesture behind the work that’s so meaningful.

Gwenn Seemel, sculptor.

Feeling the draw of the third dimension. 

Gwenn Seemel, LANDSCAPE painter.

Because I would hate to seem predictable.

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