Portrait of a long gone friend

Sometimes I get a question. Could you… Do you make… Is it possible to… At that moment I know this is about love. A commissioned portrait is always about love.

A three dimensional portrait is in its essence different from a two dimensional portrait. As we breathe, sense, touch with our body, we are our body. So a three dimensional portrait also speaks to your sense of touch. It wakes up another memory in your brain, is more complete. When someone passes my stall caressing the sculptures they pass I’m happy. It is the need to touch beauty. It has happened someone would not hand over the portrait I made of his father to his mother.

I like to see the model when I am given a portrait in commission. If this is not possible I work with photo’s. I make the portrait and when I am satisfied I ask the clients to come over to see it. When we are all happy with it, I let it dry and take all the steps to finish it. Colouring, firing several times, whatever needed. And if people have to shed a tear when they first see it I know I did well.

PS. Such a portrait will outlast a new pair of shoes. It will outlast a washing machine. It will even outlast a car.

Florence!!!

Last weekend I was in Florence with my work...On the Piazza della SS Annunziata, a place that breathes sculpture. Over my head were the ceramic infants by Della Robbia. I sold works to American collectors and Italian colleagues, ate with ceramists from all over Europe and and enjoyed just being there, what an inspiring adventure!