For many years now I have greatly enjoyed drawing and painting portraits. All kinds of faces, the very young and more mature.
A few years ago I noticed that one of my colleagues had done a project in the small town where she lived. She had set up her paints in a store front and invited any townspeople that were interested, to come and sit for her to have their portrait painted. Her project resulted in 180 portraits done over the course of one year. These portraits were eventually put on display in an exhibit in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC, USA.
Being from a small town myself, I thought this was a fantastic idea, really fun for everyone and challenging and exciting for an artist to take on.
So it has been in the back of my mind for several years. I just needed the right time and venue and help to get it organized. When I was fortunate enough to meet Lynda Clouette Mackay, who was running the cultural centre this past summer, I had a feeling she would be open and receptive to something that really involved the Hawkesbury community in their own art scene.
This has been a serendipitous event on all levels and I am very pleased and excited at the prospect of painting a real “Portrait of Hawkesbury” involving its citizens of all ages.
It is my hope and wish that they will be as excited as I am to participate in this unique opportunity and volunteer a few hours, or even an hour of their time to spend with me.
Click Here to see entire portfolio of images that have been completed thus far.
