inspirations

vikmuniz_imtoosadtotellyou_selfportrait

here’s a a self portrait of a brazilian artist Vik Muniz, called I’m Too Sad to Tell You.  i just love that he created this huge (maybe 5-6 feet tall) portrait out of children’s toys.  see the detail of his eye below.  this is from his Rebus series from 2003.  he also did a very interesting series called the Sugar Children…

vikmuniz_detail

christianfaur_experiment5_crayongirl

here’s Experiment 5, one of the crayon series by Christian Faur.  it really struck me how he knew the way our  mind would interpolate :)

Albrecht Dürer (1521)

this is truly one of my favorite portraits.  20 minutes studying it at the Albertina (Vienna) in April 2009 was not nearly long enough to even understand his right eye (Albertina Museum)

Leonardo da Vinci, self portrait

the power of lines.  need i say more? (I don’t know where this one is exhibited, let me know if you find out)

Leonardo da Vinci, drawing_of_the_face_of_the_angel_from_the_virgin_of_the_rocks

this is my test portrait.  i’ve tried to copy it several times… each time i’m not satisfied, of course because i’m not da vinci!  the stunning contrast between a solitary line defining the hair versus the definition of the crest of her left cheek… (I don’t know where this one is exhibited, let me know if you find out)

standing shepherd boy by Adriaen van de Velde1663

van de Velde’s study caught my eye at the Albertina (Vienna, april 09) – particularly the fluidity and grace of his mischievousness (Albertina Museum)

natalie imbruglia by polly borland 1999

i find the asymmetries and slightly distorted nature of the image particularly striking (National Portrait Gallery, Canberra)

john eccles by pam macfarlane 1959

i like the simplicity and emotion of the lines and composure (National Portrait Gallery, Canberra)

Archbishop Mannix by Clifton Pugh 1962

the intensity of thought with the remnants of a smile all while maintaining an air of royalty. (National Portrait Gallery, Canberra)