Face Time: the Portrait Under Investigation

Suspect Profile #5 (detail), oil on birch panel, 24" x 36"

I'm pleased to announce that several paintings from my Suspect Profiles series will be included in a new exhibition entitled Face Time: The Portrait Under Investigation--a selection of contemporary portraiture by Sadko Hadzihasanovic, Timothy Laurin, Louise Noguchi, and Shannon Reynolds.

The exhibition coincides with the opening of another fascinating exhibition called Arresting Images: Mugshots from the OPP Museum. This show features mugshots photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries was organized in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the OPP. The two exhibitions should resonate very well together.

Both shows open this Sunday, May 31, 2009 at the Art Gallery of Peel, in the Peel Heritage Complex in Brampton's historic downtown. Opening reception 1-4 pm. The invitation recommends people RSVP by May 22, so I guess I've made my announcement slightly late, but you could still try. Please contact me if you'd like more information.

Twin Planes

Twin Carter Mitre Planes, brass with ebony infill, oil on canvas board, 8" x 10"

This painting of my twin mitre planes--planes given to me by the very generous Bill Carter, planemaker, and his wife Sarah--should be on a plane en route to Bill and Sarah right about now. To read the whole long story, click here. I thought I had completed the painting a couple of months ago, but several things about it continued to bother me. So, just when I was on the verge of sending it off to Bill and Sarah, I unpacked it and put it back on the easel.

the painting before...

and after my changes

I made some minor changes and then painted a dark glaze over much of the background, obscuring but not omitting the Carter name in the background. Normally, I'm not a fan of oily paint and prefer a fairly matte surface on my finished paintings--especially my portraits, but something about this still life seemed to lend itself to a little more gloss. Although it won't be apparent on screen, my changes affected the sheen of the painting and gave it a richness the original lacked. I'm much happier with this new version and hope it will find a good home with Bill and Sarah.