Legacy in Line
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
My family and friends are both the subject and influences of my portraits. I feature people who are approaching the age of retirement that are engaged in activities of caring for family and friends. They actively build their legacies for others through making memories during activities such as going to anniversary celebrations, attending weddings and supporting grown children. My intent is for my viewers, especially younger ones, to see the people in my art and make connections to their own lives. In doing so they will realize that aging is to be embraced and not dreaded.
My conceptual concern lies in capturing one's essence, or those certain characteristics that belong uniquely to them. Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606-1669), the master of painting the essence of his subjects, influenced me to make images which show someone's particular gestures, postures, expressions, and possessions.
My process primarily involves pyrography, or the slow-burning of the line into ash or cedar wood with a heated nib. I focus on the organic fluidity of the burned lines. The lines that flow with the grain of the wood enhance the symbolic connection between a person's aging and rings of tree growth. I limit the use of color, but occasionally add some colors with pencils or acrylic paint to accentuate patterns on clothes or the brightness of the sun.
My artwork speaks to my belief about the importance of making memories to establish a legacy for others to hold when I am gone. My work shows my love for my family and friends.
My family and friends are both the subject and influences of my portraits. I feature people who are approaching the age of retirement that are engaged in activities of caring for family and friends. They actively build their legacies for others through making memories during activities such as going to anniversary celebrations, attending weddings and supporting grown children. My intent is for my viewers, especially younger ones, to see the people in my art and make connections to their own lives. In doing so they will realize that aging is to be embraced and not dreaded.
My conceptual concern lies in capturing one's essence, or those certain characteristics that belong uniquely to them. Rembrandt Van Rijn (1606-1669), the master of painting the essence of his subjects, influenced me to make images which show someone's particular gestures, postures, expressions, and possessions.
My process primarily involves pyrography, or the slow-burning of the line into ash or cedar wood with a heated nib. I focus on the organic fluidity of the burned lines. The lines that flow with the grain of the wood enhance the symbolic connection between a person's aging and rings of tree growth. I limit the use of color, but occasionally add some colors with pencils or acrylic paint to accentuate patterns on clothes or the brightness of the sun.
My artwork speaks to my belief about the importance of making memories to establish a legacy for others to hold when I am gone. My work shows my love for my family and friends.
All images and writings of this site are original works by Mary Ann Post © 2017-2022. All rights reserved.