Case Study #3 - David Building Legos

"David Building Legos" 30 x 24 oil on canvas

The third portrait in oil that I want to tackle is of David Oosterloo. David graciously allowed me to use his image in my first NF explorations during the first half of 2012. Now that I have settled on a theme of oil portraits of NF individuals just doing what they enjoy doing as a series, it seems only appropriate to use the man who has helped and inspired me throughout the entire journey.

2-18-13 NOT DONE, but much further along.
Still working on David's hands and all those Lego pieces.

Because David lives in the Netherlands, I can't really direct a photo shoot in person very easily. Luckily, his mom offered to take pictures of him building his Legos. Why building Legos? Honestly, I like when people have hobbies and/or collect interesting items. To me, it makes them seem more interesting. It also could be because I collect comic books and love to draw that I can appreciate someone else who has the same affinity toward his or her collections and interests. I believe the initial reason I was drawn to Frank earlier was that I enjoyed seeing him post about playing his guitar on FB. Additionally, I have enjoyed seeing David's Lego creations via Facebook as he will post them once he finishes a building in a series. Oftentimes it is these pastimes that help shape a person's personality or character.

My painting is not this dark.
Just painting plaid for now and
will get the rest figured out later.
1-29-13

I also thought painting Legos would be extremely difficult to pull off well, so why not give myself that challenge? Frank's guitar was very difficult, so now I can navigate painting intricate Lego pieces. Why not!? Now, even though I prefer a less detailed type of painting I still need to do a an underpainting/lay in drawing to get everything where I want it. I suppose if I had David here modeling for me, I could try to paint from life, but when an artist cannot paint from life, she does the next best thing. She uses photography to inform her work.

30" x 24" (lay in stage) 1-25-13

In fact, the entire premise of this body of NF portraits is drawn upon using photos taken and given to me by people I have never met before (all via Facebook). So, on one level, they are already mediating how they will be represented by what type of photos they send to me. They are making choices about how they want to be portrayed. Secondly, I as the artist, am making more decisions about which photos I will use and then thirdly how I will alter them. In some sense, this project goes through so many mediations that someone could questions authenticity of the portrait. But, then again, all painted portraits are subject to that argument since it is always the artist's interpretation of the sitter and how she wants to portray the person to the audience. While I am not purposefully channeling my inner Cindy Sherman and trying to question authenticity of portraiture, I'm sure to some degree one could argue it.

For now, I am just going to do my best to show the person first and foremost and if someone should notice that they have tumors on their face, then let their genetic disorder be of secondary cognition.