Heidi Howard

I paint portraits of close friends. Traditionally, a figure is depicted in a landscape or a room and the space in the image is created by the illusion of light falling on the figure and in the rest of this setting. My paintings do not rely on creating an illusion of light to conjure a figure. Because my marks do not aggregate to form an illusion of light, they are more evident. They make the process by which the painting is made transparent. The viewer can more easily see the marks come together to form the final image. This evidence of the passage of time, and the process of creation, is an invitation to share my experience. The structure of each painting is based on the color feelings, style, and images inherent to the sitter. Through this approach each sitter is reflected not only in an outward likeness, but also via the paint application. The occasion of painting a particular person, for me, is an occasion to create a new abstract space. I also encourage the viewer to engage with my subjects through close observation of the paintings and/or by googling the paintings’ titles on the Internet. Recently my portrait projects have expanded to a 40 foot high by 100 foot long wall painting/ collaborative sound installation and directing an interactive performance.