I am not sure why the subdued palette and spare composition of my still lifes gives way to something more vivid in painting the portrait, but it seems to, at least these days. My fire tribe in Boston has been amazing in their participation of the most recent series, something fairly ambitious that is still getting off the ground.
First step is choosing the team and then doing work together - lengthy interviews and also head studies. (In a couple of cases I got carried away and these turned into portrait sketches, but I don't think anyone would blame me, given the magnificence of my friends.)
These head studies are a foil to the larger pieces which will surely require some photographic references - something I almost never use, but the practicalities right now demand it. You can't ask a flame to hold still for three minutes, let alone three hours, or thirty. So I have to capitulate to the necessity of the photographic reference. But all the same the head study allows me to fully understand the forms and anatomy of each person's head, face, features and body in a way that a photograph could never tell me.
Most of these images are quick sketches under 16x20" in size, done in under three hours.
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| Terrence Drake - fire performer- breathing, eating, and staff |
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| Dominique - fire eater, hooper, and aerialist |
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| Siha - dancer, fire breather and principal dancer with Abraxis Dance Company |
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| Steven - actor and fire performer (staff) |
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Mooch - juggler, fire performer
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Dear God, I love working from life . . . and these participants modeling for me make it so easy.
Many thanks to Terrence Drake, Dominique, Mooch, Steven and Siha for their generous time, patience, kindness and enthusiasm.
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