[John de la Vega]

Hi Mari, thank you for appreciating my opinions. In regard to showing the client photos or other material we use to produce the portrait, I always think of John Howard Sanden's story:

Client: "Mr. Sanden, remember those photographs you took to do the portrait?
Sanden (hand on chin): "Photographs? Hmm! What photographs?"

Even though I wouldn't say NEVER show the client any sources, particularly photographs, used for our work, my extensive experience has shown me that in most cases it is counterproductive. The reason is simple: the ONLY image the client is REALLY interested in is the finished (and I mean FINISHED) painting. Particular perceptions and expectations planted in the client's mind at any time of the process will color and most definitely affect, positively or negatively, the way they see the finished product. We ought not to take any chances. Bringing the client 'into' what we're doing, even if in some cases it may reassure or placate an impatient individual, or make them feel they're sharing in our creation, rarely, if ever, in my experience, contributes to a better result (needless to say, that's what we're talking about here). There other ways to share and 'educate' the client or the public, and making them feel a part of what we do (no condescension here whatsoever).

The only thing I show the client are studies in oils (usually done on canvas board, 14"X18") to decide pose, colors, background, etc. In these studies the face has no detail at all, but I make sure I capture the look, attitude or 'spirit' of the subject as best I can. In many cases (in most, as a matter of fact) the client only sees PHOTOGRAPHS of these studies, and because of their loose or sketchy nature, comparison with the finished product will inevitably work in our favor.

If all this sounds like we should surround ourselves in mystery and secrecy, that's absolutely right! Not because as artists we should feed some sort of aura or 'mystique', but because, as artists, we are sensitive and work in unique conditions, and we are VERY vulnerable to extraneous influences. Very rarely the client, no matter how much of an admirer of what we do or how well disposed to accept the product of our labor, is fully attuned to our 'vibrational level' (there are, of course, exceptionally aware and knowledgeable clients).

Yes, Mari, I feel what we do IS magical and mysterious. I am constantly amazed, baffled, and humbled by the process myself, knowing it often to be too fragile and delicate to jeopardize its harmony and beauty with a colored perception. Once that beauty sees the full light of day, then and only then, I feel, it is ready to take on the world, which will then treat it, hopefully, with the understanding and reverence it deserves.