Portraits

Before the work of a portrait even begins, I ask myself, “Hey subject (Malcolm X or Walt Whitman or whomever) in your dreams, how would you like to be depicted on the canvas?” If my medium abilities are strong that day, I get an answer back. I can sorta see how the painting ought to look and what vibe it should give off, just as it is when you first meet a flesh and blood person. Which is why I love painting portraits.