Shanielle Dean 2019

Felice House made "Shanielle Dean" using oil paint, and the process feels really present in this image. It's not overworked, it's not trying to be a photograph. There's a kind of raw honesty in the way the paint is handled that I really appreciate. Look at the light on her face. The artist hasn’t blended everything out; you can see each brushstroke. Like little facets of color that build up the form. I think that's brave! I see that little dab of red on her collar. It's like the artist decided, "Okay, that's enough. It's done." And it is. It reminds me a little of Alice Neel, in that the directness of the gaze and the slightly unfinished quality makes the painting feel very alive and of the moment. Ultimately, Shanielle Dean becomes a powerful statement about the beauty of imperfection.