I use a variety of materials to create collage portraits, which I will often paint on to create a likeness.  I feel that the collage aspect of the pieces brings a visual depth and a surrealistic quality to the portrait. Using collage also brings a sculptural and textured effect to the whole piece, including the faces of the subjects. The expressionistic quality of the backgrounds contrasts with the detail of the face, whether painted on or not, and allows the subject's personality to take focus.  I enjoy using colors that are not quite lifelike, and are sometimes completely arbitrary, to intensify the look and feel of the portrait. 

I believe that art should be beautiful and pleasing to look at, and evocative to the viewer's senses.  Overall I aim for my work to communicate the feeling of the event and/or the spirit of the persons portrayed in a way that brings joy to the viewers, rather than faithfully replicate the subject photograph.  Please view my gallery for some examples of this unique form of portraiture.