Artwork / 2009 / Courtney

I would like to be able to say that I don’t get nervous before presenting a portrait to its subject anymore, but I think I always will. After all, while I am the final authority on my work and will not change a piece once I feel it is complete, I make portraits with the intention of making the subjects happy, so their reactions are important.

When Courtney met her reflection, she screamed and jumped up and down with delight. That is one of my most favorite responses ever, second only to the quiet and intense smiling that the subject of this portrait reacted with.