BLUESINGER

I wanted to go big and bold with this portrait. Historically, Byzantine and Roman mosaic portraiture was generally stoic in expression. Contemporarily, I had never seen mosaic portraits tackle this large scale, close up challenge without the end result feeling more like a caricature. I used large pieces of smalti to create an abstract, freestyle, non-traditional technique for the ‘ritratto’ or portrait. I am drawn to the ambiguity of what we find in the furrow of his brow — it could be pain or bliss — but either way, it is recognizable in its depth and sincerity. The moment is his own, but it speaks to us all.

My husband pulled this still from film footage that he’d shot of the blues legend, George “Buddy” Guy. Buddy's 90 now; how I’d love to share this ‘flow state’ piece with him!

48” x 36” x 3”

Materials: Smalti, granite, marble, slate