December 1st, 2023 at Salon Noir

PORTRAIT STUDY
PROJECT

Cultivating an artistic gift economy

After a long absence from my studio, I find myself drawn back to portrait painting, and am seeking friends and acquaintances to sit for portraits, with priority for older and BIPOC sitters.

The project focuses on agency and consent, providing the sitter control over their portrait during all stages of its creation. Sitters will collaborate on the direction of their portrait, will receive all photos as well as their finished portraits, and may opt out of the project at any point, including the final show.

“Gratitude and reciprocity are the currency of a gift economy, and they have the remarkable property of multiplying with every exchange, their energy concentrating as they pass from hand to hand, a truly renewable resource.” — Robin Wall Kimmerer

Portraits

Sitters

Details

Questions and answers for prospective sitters

Race

Why are you making this about race?

To put it bluntly: I need more experience painting sitters other than white people, and there’s only so far I can develop my skills by painting photographs of strangers. It’s my goal to paint thoughtful, meaningful portraits, and the only way to do that is to work directly with live sitters. That means deliberately reaching out to people of color and asking them to sit for a portrait.

Why make a personal growth exercise into a project?

White artists have a long history of creating art about subjects of color for their own profit, often without permission, framing stories through their own lenses while silencing or denigrating original narratives.

The project establishes an accountability framework for me as a white artist: it requires me to acknowledge the extractive, appropriative behavior of so many artists who came before me, and to recognize that building trust with potential sitters is a critical part of the process.

The formal structure defines my intentions for potential sitters to consider before participating. If sitters accept, it’s my job as an artist and a person to collaborate with them, honor their wishes, and do my best to ensure that my actions match my objective.

Can white sitters participate?

Of course. I’ve drawn and painted white sitters hundreds of times, and plan to include portraits of white sitters in the show.

Gift Economy

What does gift economy mean?

‘The currency in a gift economy is relationship, which is expressed as gratitude, as interdependence and the ongoing cycles of reciprocity. A gift economy nurtures the community bonds that enhance mutual well-being; the economic unit is “we” rather than “I,” as all flourishing is mutual.’ — Robin Wall Kimmerer, “The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance “, Emergence Magazine.

How will this gift economy work?

To become a better portrait artist, I need to paint lots of portraits, which are ultimately very personal works of art. If sitters are generous enough to trust me with their time and whole selves, I should be generous in return; sitters will receive the photographs, final painting(s) and all rights to their images.

No money will exchange hands; only reciprocal gifts of time and narrative.

Sitting

Do sitters have to pose naked?

Only if they want to. Sitters determine the direction of the photoshoot, choose the location, and select whatever clothing, activity and additional items they’d like to include in their portrait.

Who will take the photos?

For BIPOC sitters, I plan to work with photographers who have experience taking pictures of models with dark skin. I’m currently making queries and will add more information soon.

Sitters may use their own photographer if they choose. Photographers will be paid for their time.

What happens to the photos?

Sitters will receive copies of all photos taken. If a sitter feels unhappy with the photos, we can stop the process there, and I won’t hold on to my copies. Photos won’t be posted online or in print without the sitter’s permission.

Can sitters pick their portrait photo?

Absolutely. If a sitter has a photo preference, that’s what I’ll use for their painting.

Paintings

What size will the paintings be?

Paintings will be 9″x12″ (slightly larger than a normal piece of paper) or larger to accommodate the portrait.

What materials will you use?

Preliminary paintings will be on thick, canvas-textured painting paper and final portraits will be painted on artist-grade medium-density fiberboard (masonite).

I’m working in oils lately, but I can also work in acrylics or watercolor if you prefer either of those mediums. Have a look at the Studies section to see which feels right to you.

Who keeps the final portrait?

The sitter receives the painting, and may do whatever they choose with it. If sitters feel comfortable doing so, their final portrait can be included in the show, but there is no pressure to do so. Sitters may also have preliminary or unselected sketches or paintings if they like.

Exhibition

When will the show happen?

I have a preliminary show on December 1st, 2023, hosted by Salon Noir 121 as part of Kalamazoo’s December 2023 Art Hop. I don’t have many complete portraits at this point, so I will display selected studies and figure drawings. I hope to continue painting through the winter and have a larger portrait exhibition in 2024.

Will you sell the paintings?

No. The sitters retain ownership of their portraits. When the show ends, I’ll return each portrait to its respective sitter.

Will you make prints or posters of the paintings?

No. These paintings are in the gift economy, and I will not monetize them in any way. Sitters may permit use of their portraits in my online and print portfolios for self-promotional purposes, but this is not a requirement for participation in the project.

Sitters retain all rights to their images, and may make their own prints or posters of their photos or portrait as gifts for friends and family.

Do sitters get a voice in the show?

Absolutely. Sitters may opt in or out of the show, will select which portraits are shown, and are encouraged to write their own statement or include their own art for display alongside their portrait.

Studies

Exercises and challenges done in preparation for the project