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East Tennessee State University

Essence of Portraiture.

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Personages from my past and present have spoken to me in a familiar language that demanded a translation of their own ‘essence’ into visual form. Using the methods exampled by Cézanne and Matisse, I have sought to create portraits that are revelations of both the sitters and myself.</p> <p>The totality of an individual’s being is ineffable. Thus, the task of the portrait artist is limited to an evocation. ‘Essence’, attributes that identify a unique entity provide the necessary links to this act of re-creation. While some subjects depict strangers, the majority have developed from physiological and psychological investigations of individuals I have known.</p> <p>Drawing delivers form to a portrait. While the likeness of a sitter initially resides in the eye and the mind of the artist, conversion of this mental image into a visible representation requires the physical engagement of the artist and her medium.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
MFA (Master of Fine Arts)
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis - restricted
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Art
Year dc:date.issued
2002

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Wilson, Paula Spangler

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • Copyright by the authors.

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/725
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1882

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
East Tennessee State University
Base URL
dc.etsu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Wilson, Paula Spangler. Essence of Portraiture.. Thesis - restricted thesis, 2002. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/725