THE PROJECT HAS STARTED- NO MORE VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

What idea instigated the project?

It wasn’t really a huge eureka moment, but a combination of things. I paint a lot of people I don’t know. I paint a lot for the aesthetic value of a piece but inevitably character and emotion become a big part of it.

(I’m speaking in relation to my independent work rather that private or commercial commissions which are different)

A question that has often arisen from people viewing my work is “Do you know them?” The answer of course most of the time is that I don’t. Most of the time people are very complimentary and the reason they ask is because the feel some connection or emotion, so they have assumed I must have known them to achieve this. (Really I’m just winging it, aren’t we all!!)

Anyhow, I was thinking that if people can see this in my work, and for me it has been more of a subconscious influence on my painting, then I wondered how different my work could be if I really pushed the idea of knowing and not knowing someone.

Here goes with the project plan…

- I’ll ask for volunteers via Instagram for people who keen to participate in the project. I will randomly select 25 people to take part. They must be people I don’t know on a personal level, sorry friends!

- A volunteer sends me a photo that represents them- I paint it interpreting it as I would my usual work when I don’t know someone- influenced by what I see and feel from the photo and also how I would figure out colours etc just based on the photo

- The Volunteer reveals information about themselves (I’ll share mine shortly) As much or as little as they are happy to do so – but enough to tell me something about themselves that I can use to inform another painting

- I paint from the same photo again, now with this information to hand, and see how I can incorporate that into the painting, it could be very literal it could be subtle.

- I’ll share both pieces to social media, the first piece without any additional info, the second with the info I have been given.

- The artworks will be available to purchase

- Once the project is complete I will hopefully produce a book with them all in that will be available to purchase.

To make it fair, I thought it only right, and also interesting, to do 2 self portraits. I obviously know myself and my face pretty well, so the first painting was harder to be objective about and the second was tricky not to over complicate

Here is the first painting I produced of myself

This is what I then wrote about myself (it was longer but I exceeded the word limit on Instagram so had to shorten it)

“I am complex and simple, I am chatty and quiet, I find people super interesting but don’t like big crowds, I am introvert and have some extrovert traits, I will be open and keep some stuff closed, I find it easy to write about my emotions but hard to speak them.

I absolutely crave creativity- making anything and everything makes me happy.

I am very very ordinary and have very simple things that make me happy. I love a cup of tea, chocolate, being at home, reading, one to one chats, my family and of course making and creating anything.

It used to bother me being ordinary but now it doesn’t so much. I actually know a very ordinary person, who actually because she was ordinary was extraordinary - I know she is with me everyday.

I don’t seek adventure - but love to see and touch things and watch others experience things.

At times I feel quite complicated and I over complicate my thoughts.

I am happy, I am knackered and I am blessed.

My favourite joke at the moment is why couldn’t Bob ride a bike… because Bob is a fish. I have quite a simple sense of humour.

I have a busy busy voice in my head- painting keeps it quiet, writing gets it out.

I sometimes choose not to comment on things because I worry I don’t have the intelligence, knowledge or faith in my own opinion to back it up.

I am passionate about creativity and encouraging people to be themselves, just as I am trying to do.”

This is the portrait I created using parts of the information about me

Then what?

The paintings are going to be available to purchase. Including these ones of me which are £200 each, They are all listed on the Original art page.

Each painting will be painted on the same size canvas board measuring 10 x 14 inches. They will be £300 each. However as a participant you would have the opportunity to purchase one of the paintings I have created of you at the discounted rate of £200, or a print version for free as a thank you for joining the project.

Once the project is complete, I will be exhausted and happy, I hope!!... and then if all goes to plan, I will create a book collating all of the portraits I completed, which will be available to purchase.

If you are still interested in putting your name in the hat then please keep an eye on Instagram for updates

With love and thanks

Flo x

Do you know them? Portrait Project 2023- Intro