I love the challenge of the portrait, which always presents the problem of the likeness and energy of the person. I almost always start with a grid, much the way contemporary artist Chuck Close paints, but I soon abandon the grid to create a more energetic likeness of the subject.
I’ve had a tradition of painting every new president since my college days in the 80s, but recently have gone to more personal portraits of people I admire and love. The portraits of people I know are more meaningful, and the process is magical as they come to life with each painting session. My children have been my subjects throughout their childhood, and my friends and heroes are my favorite subjects.
