Loni 2010

Nelson Shanks painted Loni with oils in a way that feels both classical and fresh, like a conversation across centuries. The paint here isn't about hiding; it's about revealing. Shanks lets us see every brushstroke, every decision. The blush on her cheeks, almost too pink, feels like a deliberate choice to disrupt realism. It’s a painting about painting, as much as it is about Loni. Look at the way he handles the hair: loose, flowing, almost abstract in places. It contrasts beautifully with the more detailed rendering of her face, drawing our eye to the areas where representation blurs into pure form. The background is a deep, moody blue, grounding the figure but also pushing her forward. It reminds me a bit of Alice Neel’s portraits, in the way she captured the raw, unfiltered essence of her subjects. Both artists seem to be searching for something beyond the surface, inviting us to look deeper, to feel more. Art is a mirror reflecting our own perceptions, don’t you think?