Portrait of Charlie
18″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, 2004
by Charles C. Clear III
A good Painted Portrait is always so much more than an exact likeness. A good painted portrait should tell the story of the subject – who they are, where they’ve been…the nature of their choices and challenges.
Titled ‘Charlie’, this 18″ x 24″ oil painting features a man with a character filled face, a wistful look in his eyes, and an armful of tattoos from military service during the Korean war….but all that is just the beginning of the story. This painted portrait is also carefully crafted to be rich with symbolism; I painted ivy to represent the responsibilities and entanglements that grow over time. The window is placed on the same side the subject is looking – this obviously means reflection.The wood that he leans on represents the cross that we all must bear. And finally, I posed the subject with only his right arm visible – the symbolism here is intended to suggest righteousness, or doing what’s right.
Would you like to commission an oil painting? My painted portraits capture not only a subject’s unique appearance, but also their personality! Every detail – even the most minute – is included and faithfully reproduced in a genuine work of art that you will enjoy for a lifetime!
Charles C. Clear III
cc@theartoflife.com