What is art?  Ask that question in a forum and for each reply there will surely be presented a distinctive definition. Art, for me, is a production formed from the unique experience of an individual expressed to other individuals.  What makes a work art is the ability to connect with viewers and stir the emotional centers by communicating aspects of existence perceived through the artist's personality. If we seek to connect to viewers, and not merely display our techniques, then we must somehow engage their emotions and intrigue their minds.  My suggestion for how to accomplish this is to go after what you love when you work.  If you love the natural world work in landscapes or flowers.  If you love the human form craft nudes or fashion.  If you love fantasy stories or science fiction than tell such stories with word and imagery.  I think you get what I'm sayin'.  Follow what you love with your craft ... pour your heart into it in a manner that feels natural to you.  Most importantly, don't worry about whether "they" will like it.  Those who share your heart's affections will find their way to your work and let you know how they feel. —T. R. Bolan, Making Love in the Shadows   Here

Most of you who visit this gallery regularly know by now that I tend to work with characters of my own creation.  The most regular subjects in my portraits have been Natasha; Cori; Shiloh; Jolean and, of course, the series of faces from ancient Rome. There have been some very notable exceptions.  Among this group are Charley's (Callad) Sylvia & Charlie; Robyn's (RobynsVeil) Charlotte; Britta's (Mirandus-Arts) Narika and Kim's (Arki) Katey, who is portrayed in the work above.  It is also rumored that I had a one-night affair with Dakotah from Jennifer Morris's tribe of beauties. ...  Actually ... those rumors are true.  Such a splendid night it was, however, that well over a year later I am still inspired by the half a dozen or so renders produced during our liaison.  ;-) If you search for a particular "type" among these characters, in an effort to discern the appearance of my muse, you may come away puzzled.  And yet .. in each of these instances it was a case of 'inspiration at first sight'.  The first time I saw Katey, in one of Kim's development studies, I was set back in my chair with fascination.  To set in words my feelings upon seeing a portrait of Charlie for the first time would read an awful lot like lovesickness. I've not produced promotional works to date.  I've nothing at all against promo's, in fact they are essential to designers, it's just that I have been chasing a very particular rabbit through this medium and have focused my available creative time to that chase.  If you see me praising a character or other model be sure it is because I am deeply impressed with the craft work. I will share with you what it is that appeals to me about each of the characters I have mentioned.  What I recognize, what touches my senses and inspires me, is an authentic expression of a person's intimate yearning.  I see in these characters a true and honest aspect of the artist.  I find such creative expression to be courageous and inspiring.  If you don't see these reflections of artist and character ... take a closer look at their imagery and listen intently to what each artist has been telling us about them.  It's very inspiring stuff!  Just take a stroll through this gallery and you'll see how they have inspired me.  :-) With warmest regards, Terry