Acrylic on Canvas, 2020.
This portrait is a part of a larger series of paintings of my partner and I during Covid-19 isolation. The repetition of painting myself and my partner begins to feel routine, almost monotonous. They mirror the mood of our days, in a constant struggle to find normalcy, while encouraging us to create new and interesting experiences. The series began with a formal portrait photography sitting for painting reference, but as time passed I began to paint more candid images. Intimacy and comfort builds, but normal is no more.
Typically, my process begins with interaction with my friends and family who become the subjects of my paintings. I photograph in either a formal portrait sitting or in social settings. Now that Coronavirus has become a major concern, I rarely see the friends I would typically paint, I no longer have events I am excited to photograph. While this has been a big change, it allows for reflection and gratitude, but a chance to become more familiar with my partner Adam.
