Tag: portrait

Witold Lutosławski

Watercolor & Paper 5.5×8.520180304_144412

Music is my main source of inspiration. I do not limit myself in regards to what I listen to. There are some definite favorites but I am constantly exploring, pulling new things towards myself.

There is the desire to always be evolving as an artist, I want my voice to be recognizable but I do not want mere mannerisms. Aside from challenging myself in what & how I work, expanding what I listen to is another part of my method. I do not embrace something only to down the line drop it for something newer to me but rather use favorites as navigational points into where else to explore.

Stravinsky has led me to Witold Lutoslawski (1913-1994). I instantly enjoyed everything i heard by him. Like some of my other favorite composers, it is not something I can put on at just any time but when I do put it on it deeply resonates with me.

When I do a portrait of a musician or composer, it is interesting to consider if, someone viewing the piece not familiar w/the subject would see it in a different way than someone who knows their work.

 

by Wayne Wolfson

Candy Wax Lips

watercolor & paper 9×12

I think some of the best work, regardless of medium allows for one to repeatedly go back to it and find new things within. With that in mind, in this piece I utilized my preferred delicacy of detail while also incorporating a solidness of the body. I show the contrast in aspects of the subject in this piece by combining her sense of playfulness with an aesthetic eros. The actual candy wax lips were grabbed on the way to the session by me in a moment of whimsical improvisation.

 

wax Candy Lips

by Wayne Wolfson

Scarf

watercolor & Paper 5.5×8.5

I want a voice but never only a style. To prevent myself from ever lapsing into mere mannerism and foster my desire for always evolving I mix things up.

There is nothing wrong with having preferred equipment and a place to work but unless one plans on never leaving home/studio it can stymie being able to work or do work as powerful as when utilizing the ideal.

To side step the issue every few days I use different type of pencil, from the best to junk and same with paper.

With painting I change the size and type of paper from piece to piece.

With this piece I wanted emotion without allowing a face to convey it and on smaller paper. scarf

by Wayne Wolfson

Two Drawings

I draw every day, regardless of where in the world I am. My ever present companion is my pocket sketchpad. Even after finishing a painting, that night I will still spend an hour or so drawing.

I will do fully realized pieces but also sometimes fill pages with endless sketches of lips, breasts, eyes and especially hands.

“Woodshedding” it is akin to musicians practicing scales. Some pieces from my pocket pads are fully realized and have been sold, while others are just results of a night’s or cafe visits woodshedding. Both feel equally pleasurable & important to me.

 

25361756205_29da7bddb4_o24619596953_9869908c90_o

by Wayne Wolfson

Strange Pastry

watercolor & Multi Media Paper 9×12

 

For me, the most important aspect of any work is emotion. More than technique, this is the lasting gift one can give to their audience. Honesty is often the best facilitator of emotion and when honesty is present the piece will always be beautiful regardless of image.

20180212_142325

by Wayne Wolfson

Cosi Ervamo Noi

Watercolor & paper 5.5×8.5

 

Watercolor is my preferred medium for the ability to convey delicacy & density at the same time. This is especially true when doing portraiture. With all my portraits I try to capture an aspect of the subjects personality not just in the moment but in general.

The dimensions of the piece I chose as a way to allow art to be enjoyed by someone who does not necessarily have a large living/working space. The modest size also allows for easy moving from one spot to another. As much as some of my favorite paintings are large, it can be a worrying commitment to someone just starting their collection or developing their aesthetic taste. My smaller pieces allow for an easier cohabitation than might occur with a large scale work.cosiervamonoi

by Wayne Wolfson

Troubled Scarf

Watercolor & cotton paper 10x 14

troubledscarfPortrayed honestly, even the every day can be beautiful. An artist who truly is what he/she does creates their own lexicon. Not all symbols & words of this secret alphabet are exotic. Most of them are comprised of what one encounters on a daily basis, from a coffee cup to the clothes hanging on hooks off the back of the door.

by Wayne Wolfson