Portraits are more than just pictures - they become memories

The portrait is one of the most curious art forms. It demands special
qualities in the artist, and an almost total kinship with the model. Henri Mattisse (1869-1954)

What happened to time? Before we know it, Christmas will be here again and I haven't even looked into my easter basket yet! A week ago an artist friend of mine discussed the possibility of another gallery and art show, at the same time I am working on getting my website updated - all very exciting possibilities I agree, but (there's always a but isn't there) what happened to all the time I thought I had on the morning of January 1st?

If you're an artist too you'll know how very precious that commodity is to us. We need time to express our talent on canvas, to get lost in vibrant colors, dream along in pastels and of course don't forget the charcoals and pencils. Unfortunately time is the one thing that never waits on us and if you want to do something you better do it or before you know it another day is gone and you're nowhere closer to your ideals and goals for the new year.

As Henri Mattisse said in his quote, when you do a portrait you become familiarly acquinted with your protege. Almost like family. You look into eyes a hundred times until you can identify the different shades of blue, you see all the sun spots on a skin weathered by time and if you look close enough you might even see behind the facade - once you do your portrait is so much more than just a picture on canvas, it becomes a portrait of personality a heirloom that will have a special memory for someone.

Always remember on a commission to do a portrait, its not about how good the artist is, or how beautiful the model, its about how well you can capture the memories that picture brings to mind everytime they look at your painting.

Happy painting

Magda Enslin