Author: Je

Okay, it’s that time again when I match my latest portrait with what’s going on in the world! As I am wrapping up this portrait, the inflation in the U.S. is at 8.6%.

As we have been hearing, the annual Inflation rate for the United States for the 12 month ending in May 2022 has been the worst since 1981. As you know, many of the leading economists were wrong about inflation in 2021–they had said the inflation would be transitory. So, when the same economists say things are going to be better, we have to decide for ourselves if they are telling the truth or saying what we want to hear.

Title: Bird Nest
Dimension: 12″ x 9″ inches
Medium: Oil on Canvas

The fact is that the gas price has been skyrocketing in the recent months. If the cost of gas doesn’t come down, the inflation will likely to rise.

With the increasing inflation, I will likely have to increase the cost of my paintings, but for now I am going to keep prices at pre-inflation level. I added a few new paintings up for sale, so please be sure to check them out!

This ‘Portrait of Johnny’ is my tribute to Diego Velázquez (1599-1660).

Earlier this year, when NYC shutdown due to Omicron, I copied The ‘Portrait of a Little Girl’ by Diego Velázquez (1599-1660). I had never seen the original, but there were good enough references online, so I gave it a go.

Coincidentally, soon after I completed the master copy, I got around to see the original painting! The Hispanic Society of America pulled together a special exhibition which included this painting by Diego. Yay!

Seeing the original painting helped me see how Diego might have painted.

I didn’t get around to finish this painting and it now looks somewhat ‘unfinished’ as the “Portrait of Little Girl’.

The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.

― Michelangelo Buonarroti

There has been 83 Million+ confirmed COVID cases in the U.S. as of this month. And, the number of deaths has surpassed 1 Million.

When the number of COVID cases were about 4 Million, I had executed a self-portrait to enter a competition. It wasn’t a finished portrait, but a loosely painted composition.

This week, I decided to dust off the same portrait and work on it again. Working on the portrait from 2 years ago has allowed me to look back at all the stuff that has happened. I hope all of you that are reading this can also reflect on all that you have accomplished, and give yourself a pad on the back for living through one of the strangest time of our human history.

Title: This moment
Oil on Canvas
12×9 Inches

This is a color study for a new pose that started this week. Many of my color studies are more detailed than traditional studies, but executing these studies helps me tryout various combination of color mixes.

When all things fall apart, there is only one thing left to do—very carefully, put everything on the palette on the canvas.

Je — May 18, 2022