Several Stroke of Genius Artists in New York Times Article

Cynthia Daniel · 10-29-2005, 02:46 PM

The writer contacted me numerous times for information, but the thrust of the article, both the original and final, was not in how to find a portrait painter, so Stroke of Genius is not mentioned.

Originally, she was going to write about the trend towards very realistic portraits and, as you can see in the article, it changed to something entirely different. All I did was answer her questions and I had no control whatsoever over who she included. All the artists except Wende Carporale are on Stroke of Genius and I know from her calls that she was referencing my site to find relevant artists for her article.

SOG artists mentioned are:

Gordon Wetmore
Daniel Arredondo
Johanna Spinks
Marina Goldberg
Gerald Slater

The link to the article follows, but unfortunately, you might have to set up an account (free) to log in and see the article.

Formal Portraits Dress Down

Michele Rushworth · 10-29-2005, 04:22 PM

Great article, Cynthia! Any mention in the New York times is good for all of us.

Quote:

Originally, she was going to write about the trend towards very realistic portraits.

Did she mean realism as opposed to idealism or realism as opposed to more painterly styles, I wonder.

I suppose if she meant the former, that the article did indeed convey that. Kind of like saying "Here are my kids as they really are, day to day."

Cynthia Daniel · 10-29-2005, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michele Rushworth

Did she mean realism as opposed to idealism or realism as opposed to more painterly styles, I wonder.

I suppose if she meant the former, that the article did indeed convey that. Kind of like saying "Here are my kids as they really are, day to day."

I'm not really sure.

Marcus Lim · 10-29-2005, 10:42 PM

Hi, thanks for sharing this well-informed article about portraiture and its culture in the US. It spans across thoughts on how composition works out to become the final artwork, and a brief history about changing trends in portraiture, namely in the settings and dress codes the portaits were composed in. In fact, this seems to be the marker for the article itself.

I think you're right Michele, to feel that the article conveyed the idea of "documenting" the lives of their kids. I read and do feel the same way too, especially when Wende agreed that the world nowadays sees kids as individuals making a statement for themselves. In fact, many commercial products around children are exactly hitting on that same note. So i feel this article is about informing readers the trend of modern-day portraiture, and how it has changed from the early days.

In a way, it is a beneficial article for all portrait artists, member or non-member of SOG. Because the way i see it, having the kids dressing casually than formal clothing breaks the mindset that "portraiture is only for the Trumps", and the Simpsons might just well go for it after reading this article.

I guess this quote from the article sums up to what i'm saying about the benefits here:

"I've had couples who don't have dining room furniture but would have a portrait done of their 4-year-old," said Gordon Wetmore, chairman of the Portrait Society of America.

Johanna Spinks · 10-31-2005, 03:16 PM

Hi everyone:

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank Cynthia for all the great work she does. I was one of the artists featured in The New York Times piece getting two paintings pictured and I know this would not have come about without my Stroke of Genius site. The reporter contacted me directly after seeing it, requesting an interview, an interview with a client, and then another phone call for images. The power of an SOG site! I have also got three commissions directly from site over the last few months. Thanks Cynthia - this wouldn't have happened without you. I really appreciate all you do and your patience throughout.

Stanka Kordic · 10-31-2005, 06:40 PM

I would like to know when the article "Cynthia Daniel, Pioneer in Her Field" is coming out - or maybe "The Woman Behind the Artists" ...Something already!!

Any writers out there?

Cynthia Daniel · 10-31-2005, 11:03 PM

Stanka,

That brought a chuckle to me! Thank you for your kind words. Maybe Entrepreneur magazine? But, then you probably have to be making at least a million a year to be featured there.

I'm also happy to announce that a portrait for Weyerhaueser went through today, a portrait that came through my new Portrait Assistance feature on the site.

Stanka Kordic · 11-01-2005, 10:10 AM

You're breaking new ground everyday Cynthia! Congratulations, thats wonderful news.