Clothing doesn't make the person...

[Pam Phillips]

This discussion of clothing and props is very interesting. Cynthia, I love the painting of Allan Banks that you posted. It reminds me of the carpet or tapestry covered table that Vermeer included in so many of his paintings.

[Marta Prime]

Although I completely agree with Karin's statement about design interest in clothing, I really think the following quote posted by Jim Riley has given me lot of food for thought.

"Subject is not important. Anything can be made attractive.... aim to make an interesting subject so inviting that people will be charmed at the way you've done it." Also "Do not try to paint the grandiose thing. Paint the commonplace so that it will be distinguished."

My teenage daughter and her friends have had a ball going through my trunks of clothing, some sewed, and some collected over the years, including everything from Halloween costumes, to gowns worn on cruises, and Prom dresses from her older sisters era. I have even collected old wedding dresses at yard sales.... Although styles change, the girls have lots of fun playing dress up and having their pictures taken. I have been wanting to paint two of my daughter's friends. Stephanie, with her cello, and Candace, who is a darker skinned, blue eyed beauty. But she is a Jean's and tee-shirt girl, that's just her.

Also, as I have worked for Levi Strauss for the last 23 years, maybe I ought to look into painting people in Jeans! Go figure!

Thank you Jim and Stanka, for your making me see the other side of the coin, and Karin, thank you for the wonderful subjects and ideas you come up with!

[Debra Jones]

I personally hope there is a niche for everyone. I know this is the gallery for the traditional portrait painter, as it says up top, but I constantly wonder where the modern equivalent of the genre sort of art fits. I mean, the women in the garb of their day - the straw boaters and the men in white linen of the turn of the other century equate to the tee shirts of today.
I hope to find a place in that casual day to day imagry. Still not denting an income off my people, I am trying to show more of a "who" they are than a "what" they are.

This is a progress piece of a young man going to the culinary institute. I think his tshirt belies his attitude about himself and his future but it is the pose that gives him dignity.

(I fully understand that if I set myself on this path and work with integrity and determination I will end up SOMEWHERE, but am I taking the hard way?)

[Steven Sweeney]

Cynthia can correct me if I'm wrong, but I treat the term "traditional" (and its cousin, "classical") as describing an approach and methodology rather than a restriction on subject matter or fashion. I consider myself a painter very much in the "traditional" manner, but you'll never see anything by me in which a portrait subject has been window-dressed in period costume, unless there's a very good reason -- related to the person, not to me -- for it. I'm about to start a portrait of my 13-year-old son. The only issue is whether the motif will be computers, skateboards, or electric guitars. The clothing issue isn't even on the table (if I want him to cooperate) -- it's t-shirt and jeans. That's who he is. Obviously I'm going to lobby (possibly vigorously, and in any event, I'll prevail) for the *right* t-shirt, and fortunately he has the world's most complete t-shirt wardrobe, but to put this kid in anything else would completely defeat my purpose: capturing who he is, right now, in paint. As for jeans, well, jeans are jeans -- but I am going to draw the line (no pun) at painting them with the belt south of the hips and the crotch between his knees. I don't care how they're doin' it on MTV.

Gosh, don't be depressed -- be delighted that you're capitalizing on your unique perception and perspective on what it is that you want to accomplish with your portraiture. It's going to be evident in and enrich your results.

Best wishes,
Steven

[Marta Prime]

Have you looked at Daniel R. Frazier

[Cynthia Daniel]

Steven,

Nothing to correct...you are absolutely right in terms of my intention and attitude as to what is meant by "traditional".