National Silver Medal Portfolio with Distinction: Sally Carr, gr 12, Wasilla, Alaska

Artist / Writer statement

My portfolio concentration is on portraiture. I feel live portraits in paint captures something photos or even in life interaction cannot, something that is clearer and integrates the emotional presence of a subject making it more true than any filters or clouded judgements we make interacting with people. That’s why I have chosen portraiture as my cohesive pieces, they represent a moment in time, with stillness and focus. Each piece was painted from a live model spreading across 3 sittings. To me these people are all incredibly unique and yet together they have this inherent thread of strength, even though each had their own particular facets and insecurities with the process of modeling. Throughout my time working with these models I challenged myself to truly capture a part of their personality. The stillness and confidence of the paintings express the beauty and strength of these amazing people.