Works in Progress

---

About the project:

I have always sketched people. The practice goes way back to early childhood and has continued throughout my life.
From drawing cartoons non-stop on a chalk board when I was five, drawing each member of my Brazilian host family, doing five-minute sketches of staff when working as a nurse, to painting the sketches of the workers at the recycling center, I now have the opportunity to put together a collection of over 100 portraits. The project, "Volunteers" has been on my dream list for several years now, so I am so excited to honor any volunteer of our community by paintng their portrait. Local volunteerism is truly a form of actvism, in that it is working together towards shaping the place we call home a better place. 

Having exhibited 35 portraits in May and June of 2024 at the Grover Gallery, Port Townsend, then 35 new ones this month of August 2025, and with 40 more on my list to paint, my plans are to have over 100 portraits of volunteers in 2026! (I’ve never had to work from a spread sheet before!) I also want to make a book of the portrait sketches and include a short statement/ paragraph or two from each volunteer on the work they do, a quote- or whatever they want to share. Having some historical context on how projects/ organizations got started and evolved in our place is an added bonus! 

Part of the art for me is not only trying to render a likeness or spirit of the sitter, but the stories and conversations are very much a main part of the artful experience. I am floored at the scope and brevity of talent that surrounds me. It is so interesting hearing about what people have done, what they do, how they got here, etc. I am so grateful to all the people who partcipated in this project, for sharing themselves and their time with me and of course for all the work they do in the community. 

Process: 

Except for two of the portraits so far, the sitter comes to the gallery and sits in a comfy chair by the window where I get a good light on the side of the face. They can sip tea, or whatever and tell me about their work. 

I leave painting the mouth for last because of course it is hard to paint a moving target! But I take a photo, asking for their best “Mona Lisa” and spend some more time with the portrait in my studio while trying to keep the freshness of the Alla Prima sketch. 

Some sitters brought in materials to use, like a shovel, a wood plank and others I found or had already but most are painted on a standard canvas or linen board and framed. In essence it was a large group collaboration.