Hello from Omaha

Peter Yesis · 01-26-2006, 12:00 AM

I am very excited about joining this forum. Before I introduce myself, let me just start by thanking Cynthia and all the moderators for this remarkable website.

Ok then, I'm just starting this new chapter in my life(I'll be 51 in March) I was lucky enough to attend the portrait society gathering in Boston a while back and received the encouragement to take the dive. It took a few years, but since November I have been painting fulltime. I attended commercial art school after high school but soon came the responsibility of family. Many of you share that history I am sure. My main goal is to learn as much as I can, improve everyday, and above all enjoy the process.

I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Here is a fun self portrait I recently completed. Can you you tell who my hero is?

01-26-2006, 02:59 AM

Your hero? Norman Rockwell?

Mary Sparrow · 01-26-2006, 08:16 AM

Hi Peter, Welcome!

Claudemir Bonfim · 01-26-2006, 08:37 AM

Hi Peter,
Welcome to the forum.
I also think your hero is Norman.

01-26-2006, 10:03 AM

Peter,
Me again. Congratulations on your decision to pursue the fine arts!! I believe I'm famiiar with the portrait society gathering in Boston you participated in. One of my old teachers was a guest there, a Ron Sherr. 'Name ring a bell?
In International Artist Magazine, in their coverage, they discussed his demonstration, amongst others. They showed a magnificent charcoal academy of a nude male. They couldn't have had a nude posing, could they?!
Thanks,
a.

Terri Ficenec · 01-26-2006, 10:08 AM

Hi Peter! Welcome and nice work.

Alexandra Tyng · 01-26-2006, 10:53 AM

Welcome, Peter! What a great self-portrait. It may be inspired by N.R. but it isn't like you are trying to be his clone. It has a look all its own, a kind of tongue-in-cheek homage.

Alex

Peter Yesis · 01-26-2006, 11:59 AM

Alexandra - You caught just what I was trying to convey. A tongue and cheek (or is it tongue in cheek?) fun portrait. Rockwell has started so many of us off on the path to enjoying painting, I thought it would be a way to say thankyou.

Chris Saper · 01-26-2006, 01:00 PM

Welcome Peter,

I love this painting as well, and would enjoy seeing it in the Unveiling section, along with some close-ups!

Peter Yesis · 01-26-2006, 01:45 PM

Chris- thank you for the kind words. I am so glad you popped in here. It gives me a chance to thank you for your wonderful book. I think it is one of the best on the market to explain the impact of decisions made during painting.

Jean - Thanks for the welcome. I will post the self portrait in the "unveiling section". I'll try my best to get a better color and some closeups for you. I'll also be able to explain more of my "do it if it looks good" approach.

Mark- Wow! What a great sketch. I love the viewpoint of looking down. I hope you develop this further. There is so much going on I could spend a lot of time in the picture. Norman Rockwell would probably have the people in the paintings on the wall involved also.