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2002, SELF PORTRAIT

self.gif

20" x20"
oil on canvas

If I were to do more commissioned portraits, I think I'd try to capture more of the sitter's personality - as opposed to just catching a mere likeness.

Posted on November 13, 2007 2:58 PM |

Comments (41)

GarandFan:

"I think I'd try to capture more of the sitter's personality"

Shy, retiring, humble.

Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2007 5:10 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 17:10

Jonathan Hohensee:

"I think I'd try to capture more of the sitter's personality"
sexy, adonis, Randian hero.

Posted by Jonathan Hohensee | November 13, 2007 5:30 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 17:30

Jonathan Hohensee:

Have you ever posted any of your commision pieces before? I don't remember ever noticing if you have.
If you haven't, I'd love to see it.

Posted by Jonathan Hohensee | November 13, 2007 5:32 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 17:32

Joan of Argghh!:

Nah. That's just you before you discovered Chatham Artillery Punch.

Posted by Joan of Argghh! | November 13, 2007 6:15 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 18:15

Kevin:

Your future's so bright, you've got to block it with your hand, lest it blind you. Or maybe it's an homage to the original paparazzi, who had to force celebrities to sit still in order to capture their image in paint. Or maybe the light was just too bright to see the canvas while you painted.

Is it based upon a photo or did you do this by looking in a mirror while sitting in a hot tub? If the latter, I can imagine that your arm became mighty tired.

Capturing the sitter's personality rather than mere likeness is excellent. In the above image, I'm caught between GarandFan's descriptors and a raw, utilitarian explanation, with your hand being the focus of the image and space above your head having some symbolic meaning.

What do you see, John?

Posted by Kevin | November 13, 2007 6:41 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 18:41

MikeM:

Is this from your "Interogation Room" series? ;-)

Posted by MikeM | November 13, 2007 7:26 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 19:26

john Cox:

HEY GUYS

Thanks for the wonderful feedback....

1. Don't have any photos of some past commissions. Just as well. It's hard to get a grasp of a portraits success without knowing the sitter.

2. Sexy? WHAAAAT?

3. As for the subtext of the portrait, I'd admit to a little self-aggrandizement here. I'm NOT in a spotlight and it wouldn't be THAT horrible. I think it's more about self-absorbtion and how it can be an obstacle to creativity.

Posted by john Cox | November 13, 2007 7:45 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 19:45

john Cox:

AND ALSO.....

It was a photograph first and then I adopted it to canvas.

Posted by john Cox | November 13, 2007 7:48 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 19:48

GarandFan:

(sounds of screaming in the background)..... a lone voice cries out and it's picked up by a microphone...

"Leave John Cox alone!"

Posted by GarandFan | November 13, 2007 8:17 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 20:17

john Cox:

HEY GARANFAN

Still laughing.....

Posted by john Cox | November 13, 2007 8:47 PM

Posted on November 13, 2007 20:47

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Posted by edkcftj hygp | December 9, 2007 12:49 AM

Posted on December 9, 2007 00:49

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Posted by lqmsejh wmdoev | December 9, 2007 12:51 AM

Posted on December 9, 2007 00:51

lqmsejh wmdoev:

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Posted by lqmsejh wmdoev | December 9, 2007 12:51 AM

Posted on December 9, 2007 00:51

About

John Cox is a painter, cartoonist, and illustrator for hire. For information about purchasing existing work or commissioning new work, contact him by e-mail at john555cox [at] hotmail.com.

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