Rachel Rubin Wolf - Art Journey Portraits and Figures

Edited by Rachel Rubin Wolf

THE ARTISTS

BY RACHEL RUBIN WOLF, EDITOR

At times, people ask me if it is difficult to select the work for Splash and Strokes of Genius. Yes, I find it is difficult if I let myself think about all of the hard work and hopes that have gone into each piece of art that I look at. So I have to do my best to focus on each painting or drawing simply as an art object. And, though I agonize over some decisions, generally the winners float to the top rather naturally as the process unfolds. Quite surprisingly, the number of my initial winner selections (before going through them again) is almost always right in the ballpark of what we need for the book.

That is, until Strokes of Genius 6.

While I was judging Strokes of Genius 6 I began to feel that I was selecting portraits way more than any other subject. As I went through the entries, I kept seeing terrific portrait work. At first I thought it would all even out in the end, but it didnt. Eventually, I stopped and divided the work I had moved to my Yes file into separate files for each genre. Indeed, I was right! I had perhaps three or more times as many portraits than any other genre, and I was not even finished looking at all of the entries.

When all was said and done, I had way more portrait and figure drawings than I could fit into Strokes 6. But they were too good to just send to the No file. So I asked North Light if we could publish these additional portraits and figures in some other wayand you are looking at the result!

I put together a bunch of questions that the art itself raised in my mindthings I was curious aboutand I am pleased as punch with the interesting and varied answers we got. I know many of our readers look only at the pictures, but go ahead and read the text, too. You may learn something new and valuable!

What inspired you to draw this subject?

I seek figures, faces that seem to be familiar with the tensions of life, whose beauty is a result of the scars borne from the battles of life. And yet have victory, even if a crippled or limping one.

Have you drawn this subject before?

This is a model I have worked with a lot over the years and have done many paintings, drawings and etchings of him.

Which historical movements, periods or artists inspire you?

There is a drawing/painting of a birds nest by Gustavo Isoe. The drawing is very detailed, with only the lightest hint of color, and has a sense of mystery. I have been experimenting to get the same sense of detail and yet mystery in my drawings. For this piece, I did a drawing first, then varnished, then added a light oil wash.

HEAD STUDY Suzy Schultz oil and varnish on watercolor paper 1134 8 (30cm 20cm)

What inspired you to do draw this subject?

My drawings are the narratives of my friends and family.

Are the subjects someone in your personal life?

In spring 2013 I returned to Lindsburg, Kansas, to continue the narrative of my first cousins, the Cepure family. The drawing is of my cousins David, Anita and Daina [from left to right]. Daina is married to Doyle and their union is childless; Anita is divorced from her husband but has three children: Barry, Sarah and Brittany, who have all been taken in by Daina and Doyle following unsuccessful placement and abuse in foster homes. Anita and her brother David are visiting Daina and Doyles porch, bathed in the drama of Anitas attempts to woo her children back. Anita and David, despite early talent and promise, have become victims of depression and substance abuse. The emotional loyalties and relationships change daily, if not hourly, with potential breakdowns and explosions held at bay by Daina and Doyle providing practicalities.

Did you work from a photo, live sitter or both?

I work from a combination of photo references and life work. There is no substitute for working from life.

How did you determine which medium to use in this piece?

Charcoal is bold and fast.

What does portrait painting teach us about life and art?

My hope is that if someone facing a crisis saw one of my drawings that they felt less alone in their pain.

DAINA AND DOYLE AT HOME WITH ANITAS CHILDREN Edgar Jerins charcoal on paper 60" 96" (152cm 244cm) (For more from Edgar Jerins, please turn to page 223.)

What inspired you to draw this subject?

The sitter is a fellow artist. A group of us portrait artists decided to paint and draw each other in an effort to explore the nature of contemporary portraiture. Painting each other is inspiring and cheap! When it was my turn to pose, I was struck by the intensity with which we artists study our subjects.

Did you work from a photo, live sitter or both?

I work from life and photographs. I draw and paint from life everyday, so I am comfortable translating information from a photo to my work. Otherwise, I wouldnt attempt it. For this drawing I sketched the sitter and took a series of photographs. I gradually worked out which composition I would use.

How would you describe your style?

I would call myself a realistic painter with abstractions around the subject. If I could have my way, I would draw heads and hands and abstract everything in between! Maybe Im moving in that direction.

Which historical movements, periods or artists inspire you?

I am a fan of the Old Masters, whose ability to turn form with light and shadow and create the illusion of three dimensions on a two-dimensional surface is unsurpassed. I am lucky enough to live in New York City, so I visit the Metropolitan Museum every week to study Velsquez, Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer and Holbein. I also adore American artists John Singer Sargent, Thomas Eakins and Cecilia Beaux.

Do you mainly consider yourself a portrait artist?

Yes, I love looking at my fellow humans. I fall in love a little with every sitter, and come to view everyone I draw and paint as beautiful. In fact, I prefer to create portraits of people who have life experience in their faces. I also paint in oil on canvas.

DRAWING BENAT, DRAWING ME Eleanor Adam graphite and charcoal on paper 37" 26" (94cm 66cm)

What inspired you to draw this subject?

Since the drawing was done as a demonstration, the models expression and my will to educate others were the main inspirations for this drawing. As I have been privileged to be taught and mentored by a number of amazing artists, I believe I should pass on the knowledge and passion to others. This portrait drawing was done to demonstrate to the class how to capture her likeness and mood.