FACES OF THE EAST VILLAGE
On my way to an appointment in the East Village, I noticed a very long and large message written on the pavement under my feet. I turned around and went back to read it.
It was about forgotten human beings...
I looked further and saw a small hamlet of people living on the streets. I introduced myself as an artist, and asked if they would like to be part of a project I was thinking about, called Faces of the East Village. I explained that I would like to photograph them, and paint portraits of them, with the proceeds of sale of the paintings going to the sitter.
Eduardo Ventura
Eduardo
signing his portrait
Manassah Dwiley
COMING SOON
THE ORIGINAL FOUR
SEE ME 2024
Currently my art is taking a critical view of racism, politics, social justice and immigration policies inherent in the United States today. I began to explore my feelings about my family, my friends and my white class.
It occurred to me that I happened to have this “white shell” but what would happen if my shell was a different color? Wouldn’t I still be me? Wouldn’t I offer the same intrinsic value in any skin color?
This body of work is a series of “selves” portraits allowing both myself and the onlooker to
“see” beyond the physicality of a human being. The portaits are of people of diverse races and ethnic backgrounds with photographs of my eyes in each painting.
They are in acrylic medium and photography on canvas.
We are all the same, wrapped in different skins.
The Ubell Family Story
This will take you on a journey of the Ubell Family, as well as my personal process in painting it. The very first step is a meeting. Most of my meetings/interviews take place over the phone, but Ms Ubell resides locally, so we were able to meet in person. It was wonderful seeing her home, asking questions about my subjects' life, experiencing their living space first hand...and analyzing what I would like to include in her “Family Story Portrait”
Ms Ubell's son Ben is a Poet and Musician so I asked her to send me some of his poems, (I included one that we both decided on in the portrait) and I also used a photo of him playing the guitar. Her other son is a Dancer, so there are images of him dancing in the trees and a childhood one from his performance in The Nutcracker. I noticed the magnificent view from the living room window so I photographed the view from her window at Christmas. I used it for the background of the painting. I also took childhood photos of Ms Ubell, and surprised her by using them as the "little girl" with the images of the boys as children.
Each Family Story Portrait is different, and my imagery, color, layout and creativity come from their personal stories.
My Family Story Portraits paintings are a permanent memento of your personal journeys through life.
The Ubell's
The Santaro's
original photo taken in Cholet France original painting "Christmas in Cholet
The Santaro Family Story
This portrait was commissioned from my original, "Christmas in Cholet" painted on site at a Christmas festival in the city of Cholet France. It has become a favorite maquette for family portraits featuring children. This version was commissioned by Mr. Santaro to be given to his wife for a Birthday gift.
Included in the photos he provided, were photos of his wife, himself, their cat, and the children in their Halloween Costumes.
I included all of them in this portrait!
This “Christmas in Cholet” maquette is commissioned for a 36X48 canvas