THE WORK
Connessione: A Portrait of Michael Shane Neal
Inspired by a moving presentation on John Singer Sargent delivered at the Portrait Society of America’s annual conference (Philadelphia, 2008), the Artist states, “I found myself focusing not only on the words delivered by the orator – acclaimed artist Michael Shane Neal - but also on the sight of glowing images, shadows, and silhouettes. I feverishly scribbled scores of written and visual notes: seersucker suit, bowtie, two-toned leather shoes – not commonplace in twenty-first century America but rather befitting Sargent’s time – all adding to the drama and unique character of the image before me. Fortunately, for this writer and artist, Mr. Neal’s tireless passion and contagious enthusiasm for the subject and his charming lack of regard for the limits of the prescribed schedule allowed me sufficient time to produce the necessary sketches from life. Completed later in my studio, the result is, I believe, both a tribute to John S. Sargent and to the greatest “singer” of his praises – Michael Shane Neal.”
Exhibitions
Krasl Art Center, Focus on the Figure
Butler Institute of American Art, Inspiring Figures: A Celebration of Women Figurative Artists
Ohio Arts Council's Riffe Gallery, Here’s Looking at You: Portraits by Ohio Artists
The Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, Leslie Adams: Drawn from Life
Awards
Semi-finalist, Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, 2009
Third Award, Portrait Society of America, The Cecelia Beaux Forum, Butler Institute of American Art
First Place: Drawing Category, International 2010-2011 Salon Exhibition, Art Renewal Center, 2011