Singer-songwriter Stephen Sorenson grew up in the house right behind my childhood home and he and I were friends from a young age. Even though time has brought me all over the country and back again, Stephen has and always will remain one of the special people in my life. As a fellow visual artist and a professional musician, Stephen has been active with other local artists such as The Ladykillers, Acoustic Soul, and former Beatles tribute group The Nowhere Band. He, like myself, enjoys teaching his craft to young artists. Essentially, he is an inspiration to us all and a naturally good person.
The sad news is that he has cancer of the liver. He is too young and too good a person for such a terrible illness. I made this portrait of Stephen to expess my appreciation of his spirit and his talent, but also to help support him.
If you are interested, please purchase a larger print of this portrait and I will donate 100% of the proceeds to the Stephen Sorenson Fund. Thanks to his friends at Mission Valley Bank in Santa Clarita, a fund has been established to receive donations. You can also make donations at any Santa Clarita branch of Mission Valley Bank. Please make checks
payable to: The Stephen Sorenson Fund. You may also send your donation via PayPal using the email address: concertforstephen@gmail.com
Thanks for your caring and contribution!
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Original painting by:Alan M. Schwartz
Oil on stretched canvas
36″ x 48″
Completed Thursday,
July 31st, 2008
I was originally inspired to create this piece for my own office wall as a reminder to keep my mind set on the mentality of abundance. It is my belief that our thoughts and feelings act like magnets, drawing closer whatever it is that we dwell upon. In order to frame each workday with a positive, more rewarding attitude, I felt that a fountain overflowing with luminescent waters would fill me with a sense of gratitude for prosperity.
I found a photograph of a fountain that my wife took when she was at an Art Therapy retreat in San Miguel, Mexico. I felt that it was perfect for my painting, for obvious reasons, although I embellished a bit with the water and a few other details. At the base of the fountain is a stone tablet in which the word ‘TRUTH’ is carved. A blank stone tablet was present in the photograph, and I felt that it was there for a reason. I used ‘TRUTH’ to remind me that honesty is the foundation for any good relationship, in both business and love. Enjoy, and let your own abundance rain!
~Alan
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What does a face say about the person?
As a Portrait Artist, I am often facinated with the fact that my relationships with my clients will always subtly influence my portrayals of them. Although I am usually behind the camera or paintbrush, my connection with you will always make an impact on the moments at which I feel your soul is shining through your eyes, or when I sense that your expression is genuine. In my experience, I have grown to know my clients quite well because they have trusted me enough to be themselves around me and let down their defenses. In the beginning of any relationship, business or otherwise, there is an art to helping you relax and feel at home. I believe that in order to sharpen this skill, first I needed to grow confident enough to feel at home with myself, just about anywhere. Once the artist is at ease, and has removed his or her ego from the picture, it becomes easier for the subjects of the portrait to free up their own personality, and ultimatly act like themselves again. It is usually at this point in the process that I can really get to know who you are.
It seems clear that a photograph or a painting would show who somebody is, but how does this work? How is it that the shape of a human’s face can speak such volumes about who they are as a person? Most of us have a keen sense of intuition about people’s character based originally upon how they look. What do your outward appearances say about you? What do your eyes say? How about your expression? I love that the subtlety of our eyes & facial features can share a glimpse into our world, allowing others to get a sense of our moods, comfort levels, trust, strength & sensitivity. Maybe the truth is that who we are, our spirit, is literally contain in every cell of our body, therefore making every gesture a part of the story that is our lives.
~Alan
]]>I feel that there is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. ~Vincent Van Gogh
All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ~Pablo Picasso
I painted the picture, and in the colors the rhythm of the music quivers. I painted the colors I saw. ~Edvard Munch
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo da Vinci
The best way to know God is to love many things. ~Vincent Van Gogh
Have no fear of perfection - you’ll never reach it. ~Salvador Dali
My work is a game, a very serious game. ~M. C. Escher
The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection. ~Michelangelo
A person himself believes that all the other portraits are good likenesses except the one of himself. ~Edvard Munch
Surrealism is destructive, but it destroys only what it considers to be shackles limiting our vision. ~Salvador Dali
I dream my painting, and then I paint my dream. ~Vincent Van Gogh
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