Why I paint people

Each time I begin a #10thousandprofiles painting, I face uncertainty and a series of questions. My goal is neither to idealize nor characterize, but to simply comprehend the grace and gravity of the human form. And, having worked with oil paint for decades now, I know how stubborn yet patient this medium can be. Painting for me is like a tug of war—pulling and pushing, tussling my way towards something intimate, strong, and real. -Namiko