Artwork / 2023 / Quincy

When I as first starting out as a portraitist, I refused to paint people unless I could meet them first. Sure, I made a few exceptions—for example I painted this man who’d passed away before I could meet him—but for the most part I held firm to my belief that my art was better when I photographed my subjects myself.

Then COVID came on the scene, and, because I couldn’t afford to cut off the income from commissioned portraits, I pivoted. Quincy’s portrait is the result of that choice. By which I mean, her mom and I decided it would be easier to do the portrait without trying to meet up, and also that I’m very pleased with this painting even though I’ve only ever seen pictures of the subject.

You can watch the making of Quincy’s portrait.