Alice Neel: What do you think?

[Henry Wienhold]

When I saw the self portrait I wanted to laugh, but then I asked myself, "should I be laughing." Then I realized
this is one bold lady, and to me boldness has merit. She reaches out with her work and makes you stop and think. Both of the portrait's draw you in and leave you wondering and contemplating her motive. Then I realized I would of liked to have met this lady, just to have a conversation with her. She's definately an artist who paints as she wishes and obviously she isn't a conventional crowd pleaser. I like that kind of attitude, be who you are is what I think she is saying. I like these two paintings.