About this project
"What is your favorite animal?" From children in the schoolyard to adults on a first date, everyone has been asked this question. Because we see reflections of ourselves in the appearance and behavior of animals we can share some of who we are with other people by naming our favorite animal. We identify ourselves by describing how we identify with animals. This relationship is deeply rooted in our humanity. From the concept of spirit animals, to words like "sheepish" and "catty:" from the fables of Aesop, to the use of animals as logos and mascots: humankind has always invoked animals to define who we are.
As a portraitist I am intrigued by this relationship and by what we learn about each other through our appreciation of another species. The challenge of portraiture is to use a strictly visual medium to transcend a person's appearance and capture their essence. In this series of portraits I will rely less on a person's likeness, which can be deceiving, and use animals to serve as emblems of their internal attributes.
I will begin with a variety of self-portraits before moving on to portraits of others later in the series. All of the paintings will be medium (30x40) to large (48x60) scale pieces and executed with oil paint. The finished project will be a series of seven to ten paintings.
Since each painting will portray a person, an animal and an environment, a wealth of visual reference will be required. The funds for this project will be used for materials and collecting the necessary references for the animal and aspect in each painting.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
20
Backers
$1,110
pledged of $10,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on August 16, 2011.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A formal thank you on a postcard-sized print featuring one of my paintings
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
an 8x10 inch print of one of the paintings from the "Moulting" series
Pledge $40 or more Pledge $40 or more
a shirt (American Apparel) with one of my simple zoo animal studies printed on it.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
a signed 11x14 inch print of one of the paintings from the "Moulting" series
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
a signed, limited edition, hard-bound book that features each painting in the "Moulting" series, most of the preliminary drawings and studies, and a preface spotlighting previous works.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
a signed, limited edition print portfolio that includes one print of each painting in the series
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
an original drawn study used for the series (approx. 9x12), patrons will select among available drawings.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
an original painted study used for the series (approx 11x14), patrons will select among available paintings
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
an original drawn and painted study (patron's choice), a signed hard-bound book, print portfolio, and a special thank you on the credits page of the book.
Pledge $5,000 or more Pledge $5,000 or more
One of the finished paintings from the "Moulting" series, first bidder receives first choice, second bidder receives second choice, etc. Shipping or delivery fee varies based on location.
Project By
Has not connected their Facebook account.
I grew up in San Diego and spent a lot of my time at the San Diego Zoo, where I began life drawing for the first time. Later I attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and then received my BFA in 2006 from Pacific Northwest College of Art. Currently I live in Portland, OR with my girlfriend and dog, work at a small independent art store, and continue to draw animals at the Oregon Zoo.
