"... I want to concentrate on true artists, major or minor, who are connected to the past and make themselves a connection to the future.  The true artist is connected. The true artist studies the past, not as a copyist or a pasticheur will study the past, those people are interested only in the final product, the art object, signed sealed and delivered to a public drugged on reproduction. The true artist is interested in the art object as an art process, the thing in being, the being of the thing, the struggle, the excitement, the energy, that have found expression in a particular way.  The true artist is after the problem. The false artist wants it solved (by somebody else).    If the true artist is onnected, then he or she has much to give because it is connection we seek.  Connection to the past, to one another, to the physical world, still compelling, in spite of the ravages of echnology. A picture, a book, a piece of music, can remind me of feelings, thinkings, I did not even know I had forgot." -Jeanette Winterson    This is the first Curtain Call of 2010.  January and much of February did not allow me much time for image crafting. Time is still a hound at my heels, although, March has allowed me to complete several works begun or conceived late last year. As always, I enjoy having a choice of portraits to work with in the Post stage because this allows room for further inspiration to enter into the mix.  Once I have settled on a single render as the base of the final work there remain several other versions with their own fine merits.  The purpose of the Curtain Calls is to allow a place where some of these alternate portraits from each month can shine and have a chance to be appreciated by others. If there is a particular image you like among those above be aware that I have been known to return to expand upon past works after someone or two has voiced such an interest.  ;-) Clicking through the images below will take you to a few of the Curtain Calls from last year. Enjoy! August 2009 Curtain Call October 2009 Curtain Call December 2009 Curtain Call