Self Portrait

[Carlos Ygoa]

This cannot get more lifelike. The image is there...living, breathing.
Very impressive.

Congratulations.

[Alexandra Tyng]

David,

This is my favorte of your work so far. It really is an honest, straightforward portrayal of yourself. It's direct, but also symbolic--of a man, a person, an artist--whatever you see in it. I like it because it is not contrived, and you have pared it down to the essentials. Because it s simple, the minimal color scheme works well. Elegant!

[Linda Brandon]

Wow, David - I continue to be amazed by this portrait. I've seen it in person and it just takes my breath away. One of the things that impresses me the most is the control you have over the wide variety of colors on your palette. Furthermore, your drawing skills are enough to make everybody else go home and beat our heads against the wall.

Actually, you are starting to be a little hazardous to my health with all this breathless headbashing.

Congratulations on this powerful painting, David!

[Marina Dieul]

Originally Posted by Alexandra Tyng

It's direct, but also symbolic--of a man, a person, an artist--whatever you see in it. I like it because it is not contrived, and you have pared it down to the essentials. Because it s simple, the minimal color scheme works well. Elegant!

David,
that's also what I think.( and Alex says it better than I could in english)
I like the quiet and meditative athmosphere which comes from the lowered gaze. I like when I feel the time in a painting, the length of the pose, the length of the act of drawing/painting...
I also love your backgrounds, this one is no exception.
Congratulations on a beautiful portrait!

[David Kassan]

Mischa, Thanks form and value is something I'm always trying to figure out. Thanks for the well wishes on the exhibition

Enzie, Thanks as well, I tend to paint myself looking away from the viewer as opposed to my other paintings that usually have the subject confronting the viewer, I think its something unconscious I do when I paint myself.

Garth, Thanks, truth is my goal in what i do. I usually light everything from above I like how it shows the cast shadows.

Tony, Thanks I'm digging what your working on as well. If i get out to California I'd love to check out your studio. I was in LA briefly on my way to Australia last April and it was an interesting place.

Chris, it was nice meeting you at the PSoA show this year, nice demo btw, i don't know how you painted in that darkness. I'm gong to be in Scottsdale in march, maybe we can meet up for drinks.

Carlos, Thats the best compliment i've ever gotten. Thanks so much.

Alexandra, Thanks, less is more.

Linda, I'm glad that you made it back to AZ, espec, after that cab that we got you. LOL
Thanks for coming over to draw. Can I post the photo Holly took. I have Tanya coming over again tomorrow night, cause I wasn't feeling well when we drew her and that ginger tea, yuck! I enjoyed hearing your process and goals. Try not to dang your head on anything or I'll buy you a helmet. or some ginger tea I hear it works miracles.

Marina, Thanks so much. It was nice meeting you as well at the Portrait shin dig, if only briefly, those conferences are pretty intense, I was being pulled in a million different directions. I may sit out next years, stay home and just sleep for the weekend.

[Tom Edgerton]

Fabulous painting, Dave.

Good to have met you at PSoA, however briefly.

--TE

[Linda Brandon]

Originally Posted by David Kassan

Linda, I'm glad that you made it back to AZ, espec, after that cab that we got you. LOL
Thanks for coming over to draw. Can I post the photo Holly took.

Sure, so long as:
1. you don't appear to be showing me up too badly with the drawings we did, and
2. I appear to be looking Fabulous and not ghastly in the photo. You might have to Photoshop something.

[Ngaire Winwood]

Great stuff David, thought provoking, controlled and lifefull (I think it is a word)

Did you use the same palette as you did in Oz? Looks as though it is. Another great example of the artist language of light and shade.

[Gary Hoff]

David, I always enjoy seeing your work and this one is no exception. It's not only beautifully painted, it has great emotional charge.

I hope all's well with you and yours.