Because they are spending their money on my work, patrons tend to have a lot of opinions about it, and I take full of advantage of that.  Clients are an invaluable source of information about how my work is interpreted and understood, and I am always sure to ask them about what they like and dislike in it.  This feedback is generally useful, but also vital to the process of making a work for them specifically.

When I met with Dick to discuss his portrait commission and do the photo session and interview, he noted that some of my paintings have a smoother or more modulated look and that, while he liked that, he preferred the work with blockier and more dynamic brushwork.  I was happy to embrace my love of contrast and line in my portrait of him!

To learn more about the making of this painting, watch this vlog.