Commissioned Portraits
The commissioned “text” Portraits were the next natural step and a logical progression within the evolution of making “text” Portraits.

The first series of Portraits described human, animal and plant life. And the second series of Portraits were composed of descriptions of the body. The third series is based on sensation. The fifth series of Portraits are descriptions of the weather. And the sixth series of text works are the first series completed where the text is “found” as opposed to “created”. And series seven is based on moods and feelings.

The commissioned Portraits are the fourth series within this structure of different series of Portraits.

All the “text” Portraits I have created exclusively utilize language in a vivid and tangible manner, including the commissioned series. But this particular series is different in that I was interested in exploring the immediacy of flesh and blood. I wanted to engage myself within the process of working with a real live model. And additionally, the improvisational, interactive and social aspects of the commissioned portraiture tradition intrigued and excited me.

The commissioned Portraits will be pictureless images of various people. Words will be used to describe the dominant or affecting physical features of each individual. Through language, I would like to get to something very deep and very interior that reflects the special quality of each particular person. Not just through the actual, physical description of the person’s dominant features, but through the way the words sound and their resonance and connection to each other. The intense physicality of the language will be used to get to a deeper meaning -- hopefully reflecting something essential and unique about each individual.

The commissioned Portraits will not be glossy, bizarre or insincere. There won’t be any unique or cynical twists or caricaturing of the subject. I will try to achieve some degree of “likeness”, accuracy or reality regarding each portrait -- through a dense, yet minimal, truly sincere description of my subject.

The inspiration for each portrait will be the particular person who has commissioned the portrait. What strikes me about a person and also -- how to create a striking image. I want to portray some aspect of the reality and mystery of each person, simultaneously.

I have a lot of respect and affection for other people and I am interested and fascinated by most people. And that’s why I’m doing commissioned Portraits . But also, I want to evolve within the history and tradition of portraiture and bring it to a unique and new level. I want to develop and produce portraits that reflect the strange and refreshing singularity of each person. I want to engage the vague and awkward feeling of being alive.

Portraits
The first series of portraits describe human, animal and plant life. These images address the diminishing connection we have with real life (organic life). External, physical things are described (through language) in an effort to engage and reconnect people with the rich and vivid quality of images derived from nature.

The second series of “text” portraits are composed of various descriptions of the human body. Function, vitality and radiance are explored in these works, as well as the darker side of things: physical and emotional disturbance.

The third series of “text” portraits are based on the idea of physical sensation and focus on the senses.

And the fourth series is a commissioned “text” portraits series. The commissioned portraits are actually pictureless images of specific people who wanted to have their portrait done. Words are used to describe the dominant or affecting features of each individual person. For each commissioned portrait, I worked with a real live model within the traditional mode of commissioned portraiture. This included meeting with the subject, writing about the subject and composing this written analysis into some degree of “likeness.”

The fifth series of “text” portraits focus on descriptions of the weather.

And the sixth series of “text” portraits is the first series I have completed where the text is “found” as opposed to “created”.

Series 7 is based on moods and feelings.

All of the “text” portraits exclusively use language in a vivid and tangible manner. And all of the series of “text” Portraits are based on the same conceptual premise: that it is possible to get closer to an image through a rich, evocative and tangible description of that image. The text does not manipulate or direct the viewer in any way, but isolated the way it is, becomes rather strange and infused with an odd sort of grandeur.

The text in all the series of portraits is created (except for Series 6) and ordinary prose is always used. Each portrait is untitled, although they are numbered sequentially for identification purposes. All of the portrait series are open ended - in other words, I can add new images to any of the portrait series I have created within the span of my lifetime. And I can continue to do commissioned portraits on an “as needed” basis for the rest of my life.