ELLEN AT WORK

Ellen at Work, the first of my portrait series, was an important work for me, because I considered it a successful attempt to translate a number of sketches and studies of my wife into a single image that conveyed both a likeness and an essence. And it's important to me that Ellen herself was pleased; she said that it showed her as "intelligent and focused"--and I'm happy enough with that. The entire project was a tremendous learning opportunity for me: I developed a battery of patterns and lines; I was able to concentrate on describing the figure and its apparel (and to some extent its setting) through monochromatic means; I had opportunities to examine the relation of likeness to character, and to try to capture both; and I was able to find ways to portray a number of individuals within only two formats. Best of all, I was able to spend some hours drawing (and visiting with) people who have influenced my life in wonderful ways. Now, as I look at the portraits that resulted, I feel that the visit continues.