Artwork / 2018 / Smiley and Amanda Devecka-Rinear

As a portrait painter, faces are obviously an important part of what I paint, but the space between us is almost more so. The way we express ourselves in relation to others reveals so much of who we are, and it’s what makes double portraits like this one challenging and rewarding. I’ve painted whispering double portraits as well as cuddling ones and kissing ones, but I think the only one that comes close to Smiley and Amanda’s for playfulness is this double portrait of my parents. For more about Smiley and Amanda’s portrait, check out this vlog.