Anatomy of a Portrait
Journal excerpts from :
May 17th... Interesting conversation this afternoon
with a girl working at Opus, who was an artist
& showed me one of her watercolours. Her name
was Anna
June 21st... Bought some cardboard at Opus and
showed Anna two portraits, 'Girl from Okinawa'
& the portrait of Izzy. Think they made a good
impression with her & her co-workers, who were
quite interested in the work. Going back on Tuesday
June 25th... Showing Anna the 'Iron Bridge'
drawing, & two portraits, 'Gothic Gypsy' & 'Girl
from Hong Kong' [Agnes Chow] Her observations are
incredibly intelligent! And her own artwork is
totally impressive! She has a delicate touch & a
lovely style. As we're talking she struck this
cool pose. Asked if I could do that portrait, &
she said 'Yes'. Planning to take some shots on
Friday, when she's off work
June 28th... Photographing Anna on Granville
Island for the next portrait. This girl has
awesome style & her artistic IQ is off the scale!!
text messages
Richard : [Susan]
July 1st
So I started the portrait
of Anna today, Myle
sent me the first
ultrasound pic of the
baby, & I didn't get to
hook up with Fran. It
was like something out
of the Twilight Zone!!
Who writes this shit?
July 2nd
[I had hoped you'd see
Fran. She must have
been busy. Has she
gone back yet? How
does young junior look?
How many months
along is Myle? Anna is
a goddess. Her portrait
will be amazing]
July 3rd
Thanks Susan, she
does seem to be totally
unique & the portrait is
coming along nicely.
Fill u in on the rest of
the stuff next time I talk
to you
July 13th
So I finished the
portrait of Anna & hope
to show it to her on
Monday. Might be
going to Victoria next
weekend to see Fran,
but I'm sure something
will make it not
happen. And will
probably see Myle next
week sometime
text messages
Richard ; [Anna]
July 3rd
Hi Anna, it's Richard
here's the outline of
the portrait. Honestly,
you looked so good in
those shots it was hard
to pick only one
Should take 10 days or
so to finish. I'll let you
know how it's coming along
[Looking great!!! Can't
wait for more updates -
thanks for a super cool
portrait!]
July 9th
Hi Anna! your portrait
is coming together
beautifully! Took a little
longer to get the
background together
but I'm thinking by
Friday afternoon it
should be pretty close
to finished. Let you
know how it's coming
along in a couple of
days
Btw the paper is
Arches hot press
July 10
[Right on! I'm so glad
that it isn't giving you a
hard time
Really looking forward
to seeing how it turns
out!]
[Niceeeeeeee paper]
July 12
Hi Anna! so I finished
your portrait about an
hour ago. It really
turned out well & I think
you look fabulous in it!
totally cool! Hoping
you'll like it
Would love for you to
see it on Monday if
you're working. Or
whatever day works for
you
[Sweet!!! I'm so excited
to see it!
I won't be at Opus
Monday thru Friday
next week as I'll be
teaching some art
camps - anytime after
that would work!]
text messages
Richard : [Fran]
July 18
So I started this portrait
on Cannabis Day & I
finished it just a few
days ago. Anna works
at the Opus on
Granville Island Her
artistic I.Q. like yours is
totally off the scale
She admired the Gothic
Gypsy Queen & asked if
that was the handle of
a Japanese sword
behind your shoulder?
[Hi Richard, everything
is awesome I'm just
working lots but I'm
coming to Van next
weekend and it would
be great to meet for
coffee!! I think it was a
Japanese sword
Anna is absolutely
stunning I adore her
portrait, you are a
genius!]
