In 2010 

Andrew

Andrew Lakey: Well, I don’t want to get into “spirituality” or “energy” because I don’t understand that. But, when I do a tracing, every subject feels a little bit different. And what I mean by feel, it’s the feeling I get from that subject; the same way when I transfer the image onto the board, I feel it. Now, I’m not being guided and I’m not being intuitive, but I can certainly feel that each subject has its own energy force. This is something that I can’t explain and I’m not sure if it’s in my mind or if it’s really happening. But that does account for how every subject comes out completely different.

When did you do your first Portrait painting and who was the subject?

My very first subject was actually a well-known personality whose identity I am keeping confidential as a matter of discretion, as he’s since passed away. He was a perfect gentleman and I painted his hands in 1994.  He gave me the tracing and I completed a painting using the same process I described earlier in our conversation. This is when my agent came up with the name “Body Parts Project’.

How did you come up with the name ‘Silhouettes and Shadows’?

I actually didn’t come up with that name. One of my agents came up with that name. The project used to be called ‘Body Parts Project’. My agent was really fascinated with the exhibit ‘Body Worlds’ at the time – the plastination technique applied to human bodies where the public could literally see inside the human body; muscle, organs, etc…

Originally we called it ‘The Body Parts Project’ and I was never very comfortable with that name, it sounded like a forensics lab or a morgue! That’s when my agent came up with the name ‘Silhouettes and Shadows’.

Tell us about the process of making an original Portrait. Presumably you begin by meeting with the subject in person... then what happens?

The process is very straightforward. Although I don’t believe I have the technical skills to draw someone – they way they look, I prefer to use their shadow portraying the essence of the subject. And once I get the feeling of the shadow correctly, I transfer that image to the boards where I create.  The process is very simple.

I meet with the subject, and then have the subject stand approximately three feet from the wall. Behind the subject, I have a large blank sheet of paper. I cast a very bright light on the subject which casts a shadow on the paper.  Next I trace the subject’s image displayed on the paper.

Sometimes it takes four or five attempts, sometimes it can take up to twenty attempts to get it just right. If the subject moves or the feeling’s not correct, I might move the light around or move the subject into a different position. Eventually I get it just right where I capture the feeling that I want. I have the subject sign and date the paper, or put a simple message on the paper to document that this is their shadow. And that’s it - that’s the extent of time I spend with the subject.

Next, I carefully cut the shadow from the paper so it reveals their silhouette. Then I take that silhouette and transfer it to a board by tracing the same impression onto the board. Using one continuous line of paint, I paint the contours of the silhouette - then I go in and do the rest of the work with color and texture.

What do you find most enjoyable? Tracing the subject (meeting with the person) or creating the finished work? Or perhaps it's a little of both...?

I enjoy the entire process.

Is there anyone you would like to do a portrait of specifically, if they were to ask you?

Two people, as a matter of fact. I’ve traced some of the most interesting people in the world and I get motivated in my own life, with my own challenges, by what other people have accomplished. There are two people that actually inspire me greatly that are still alive today. One is Muhammad Ali and the other is (media executive) Barry Diller. Another person I really admire, and would have loved to create his portrait if he were around today is Walt Disney. Oh, and I would love to do a portrait of someone I consider to be one of the funniest people to ever walk the earth, Tina Fey. So I guess that’s four (chuckles)…  

For more, read the full-length interview, unedited, at:

http://people.southwestern.edu/~prevots/andrew-lakey-interview.html

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  

For more information about Andy Lakey and his "Portraits" cycle, please visit:

http://www.andrewlakey.com

http://www.andrewlakeyportraits.com

http://www.cvagallery.com