LESLIE ADAMS PORTRAITS

Inspired by a moving presentation on John Singer Sargent delivered at the Portrait Society of America’s annual conference (Philadelphia, 2008), the Artist states, “I found myself focusing not only on the words delivered by the orator – acclaimed artist Michael Shane Neal - but also on the sight of glowing  images, shadows, and silhouettes. I feverishly scribbled scores of written and visual notes: seersucker suit, bowtie, two-toned leather shoes – not commonplace in twenty-first century America but rather befitting Sargent’s time – all adding to the drama and unique character of the image before me. Fortunately, for this writer and artist, Mr. Neal’s tireless passion and contagious enthusiasm for the subject and his charming lack of regard for the limits of the prescribed schedule allowed me sufficient time to produce the necessary sketches from life. Completed later in my studio, the result is, I believe, both a tribute to John S. Sargent and to the greatest “singer” of his praises – Michael Shane Neal.” Before being exhibited at the Krasl Art Center, this portrait of Mr. Neal was a semi-finalist in the Smithsonian Institution, National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2009. In fall, 2010, the portrait was included in Inspiring Figures: A Celebration of Women Figurative Artists at the Butler Institute of American Art. The drawing received Third Award in the exhibition sponsored by the Portrait Society of America, the Cecelia Beaux Forum, and the Butler Institute of American Art. From January 27 through April 17, 2011 the drawing will be included in Here’s Looking at You: Portraits by Ohio Artists at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery in Columbus.