Rhea on Red

© 2018 | Oil on Canvas

Rhea could have a show of all her own portraits.

For this series, I wanted to give expression to the unflinching clarity she provides — anyone who asks her opinion. When I am at loss, her insights remove barriers that I cannot.

When working on this series, she gave me the best advice anyone has given me  about portraiture: “John, you need to be brutal. Whether you like it or not.”

My favorite part of this piece is her hair. Acquiescing to the mark of my brush, I let the tool speak for itself – removing my Self out of its way.