Portraiture a Dying Art?

[Michele Rushworth]

...using his logic the DeBeers family might as well close up all the diamond mines in the world now that we have stunning cubic zirconia.

Nicely put!

[Mari DeRuntz]

If as artists we mechanically copy photographs, we are contributing to the death of our art. The craft was nearly killed off by modernism; it is our responsibility to reconnect with the art, the craft, the soul of painting.

[Steven Sweeney]

then using his logic the DeBeers family might as well close up all the diamond mines in the world now

Off topic, I realize, but I rather wish the DeBeers would take a hike or a dive. More heartache has likely been caused by the "price" of the artificial shortage of diamonds in the world (which is the only reason diamonds are "expensive") than could ever be outweighed by the pretended, leveraged pleasure produced by them -- at least with regard to those whose personal self-worth isn't measured by material objects.

But then, I'm also a guy whose only interest in cars is whether they transport me reliably and comfortably, and I couldn't care less what they look like. I have 15 guests in the house right now and somebody put NASCAR on the tv, which is why I escaped to this room with the computer.

[Ngaire Winwood]

This is heart warming now knowing that I have a good line or two the next time any photographer has a go at portrait artist's viability. My career looks sound and promising by the views posted unless an economic collapse takes the wind out of our sails. Full speed ahead!

[Mary Reilly]

I had two bad experiences in 2003. Last summer I was contacted by a Bar Association in the area, and they interviewed me for a prospective portrait of a retiring judge. They told me that I was one of 5 artists being considered and they would get back to me. Well, when they got back to me I was told that I was not awarded the commission. They decided to save money and use an out of town photographer who was capable of making a photograph "look like a real oil painting". I didn't mind loosing the commission if it was to another artist, but losing it to a photographer bothered me. I tried to nicely explain why a painting would be more appropriate but they had their minds made up. Since I didn't want it to sound like sour grapes, I didn't say anything else. This portrait was for a large courthouse located about 50 min. outside of D.C. It is filled with oil portraits of judges all the way back to the 1800's. It was truly a disservice to the retiring judge.

Then about a month later I received another phone call from a different bar association. They were looking for portrait artists for a retiring judge and received my name along with other artists from another bar association. You can guess what happened. Myself and the other artists lost the commission to an out of town photographer who was capable of making a photograph "look like a real oil painting". I then knew who gave them the list of names to contact, and also knew that the photographer was included in the list. They probably also told them the decision they had made. This second courthouse is also large, and in a very populated area which is located about 10 min. from D.C. Money should not have been an issue for them.

The real concern for both of these Bar Associations is that a new precedent has been set for future portraits, and the way the first one influenced the other, who knows how many other Bar Associations they could influence.

I do agree that there are plenty of people who still want portraits, but I think it important that we not take anything for granted. The suggestion that we consider banding together to aggressively market portraiture as an art form is an excellent idea. The Bar Associations could certainly benefit from a little education.

As a side note, the "out of town photographer" was from about 2 hours from the D.C. area. That tells me he is marketing his "just like real oil paintings" to a wide area.

To end on an encouraging note, right now I am happy to report that I am working on some commissions with some more coming in - just not any judges at this time.

Mary

[Ngaire Winwood]

Mary thank you, that was very informative. I suppose the essence I was aiming for in this thread was to see how portraiture was been challenged by photography. To hear of personal challenges was eye opening to say the least. The main reason was to once again highlight the need for a public relations coop possibly, to enlighten the public of an old and valuable service.

Yes, there are exquisite portraits that are produced by accomplished artists and most have a waiting list no doubt, but to use maybe a set of well written press releases that we could all use to soften the public to being supportive of our work was maybe my angle. Just to make sure that incidents like yours Mary and Mike's do not become contagious.

[Linda Nelson]

My career is short enough to say I haven't lost any business to a photographer, but I can see it happerning eventually in some situation. I'm sorry that happened to you , and perhaps it could become more encroaching on the oil portraiture market if photoshop and printing wants to "replicate" us, but I think too one could just see that those Law people are just dealing with the tough economic times we're in and hiring some photographer fixes a painful $ situation.

I would be curious if what this photographer hypes is what he delivers. Also, when budgets come back, I would think people would rather pay for the real thing (an actual painting) than a fake thing ( a photo that pretends to be a painting)

[Mike McCarty]

It just occured to me who should lead our "PANDER" (Portrait Artist's Never Die Except Regionally) coop group - Bob Schiefer(sp). Mr. Shiefer is the moderator of "Face the Nation," which is a political talking head show that has been coming on Sunday mornings ever since TV begain. It's my understandng that Mr. Schiefer is a serious portrait artist.

Sombody should send him a copy of this thread. Tell him to invite a few of our best and brightest to his round table on a Sunday morning, with examples in tow, it's a perfect target audience. It's not impossible, it could happen!

[Henry Wienhold]

The art of portraiture will always remain unique. I don't think it will ever die, not completely. The human element, the eye of the artist, paint, brush and canvas will always hold a fascination.

Photography on the other hand is mechanical, quite cold in comparison and very common. Photography isn't as interesting as a good oil portrait.

Even if I never made another penny creating portraits, I would still continue trying to capture the human form on canvas. Painting portraits is not just about making money, I think of it as a celebration of life.

For some painters there will always be a desire to capture the likness of other human beings, whether or not they get paid for their efforts. Certain individual's will always be willing to pay for the chance to have their image's created on canvas. To own something unique and quite rare, just as they themselves, in their human form are quite rare and unique.

The only way the art of portraiture will die is tie the hands of the artists, confiscate their paint and brushes and make it illegal.

[Mary Sparrow]

Sombody should send him a copy of this thread.

What are you waiting for Mike?