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Shirley & Wier
Commissioned
Portraits
by Ann Huey
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Making a character out of a real person is my favorite thing to do, but I really sweat over "commissioned portraits." They're so very personal to the one doing the commissioning — since it's usually their children or parents or the aunt who left them a fortune — and I don't want to curse the image of them for eternity.
It's especially trying if the subject has died young and tragically. Babies are a nightmare — they're beautiful, sure, but they haven't developed wrinkles or much physical personality, and their faces are too smooth, clean and flat.
If anyone wants a portrait out of me, they'll have to want what I do, not an exact likeness. I could probably pull off an almost-exact likeness, but it's so boring. I'd rather flatter myself to say that I attempt to capture the true self.
That said, I have had nothing but the highest praise for the portraits I've done. I've even made a few people cry.
Click images to see larger, more detailed versions.
Elliot, Evan and Emory
Lou Anne, Stripey Nose and David
Bob and Jenny
