Jack Ross

Primary Observations, Anna Leonowens Gallery, 1891 Granville St. Halifax, Nova Scotia, 2011. 

This solo exhibition was a component of completing my BFA while I was in my final year at NSCAD. I took several semesters of open studio - a self directed course focused on developing a body of work with guidance from a faculty advisor and regular meetings for group critique with other students.  My interest in figurative work led me to produce these paintings. I wanted to examine the process of creating portraits entirely through direct observation using live models. I had close friends volunteer to sit for me over several painting sessions. Each portrait was a unique experience with different challenges. We discussed the awkwardness of spending large amounts of time on such a task in today's fast paced world of instant technology and endless distractions. "What does it mean to paint from life in 2011? How authentic is this process and how does it compare to other more prevalent forms of representation? Can primary experience provide something to the painting process that secondary source material cannot?