Monday, April 5, 2010

Ten Quotes About Faces

As I was paging through a large volume titled Treasures from the National Gallery of Art I came across the quote below by Joseph Addison. Faces are a theme that runs through many of my paintings and drawings, and for some reason I find it fascinating how simply by manipulating shapes and shadows and form and line one can capture an emotion and make a connection, soul to soul, with a viewer who engages it.

Not every work of art connects with its viewers, even those in the National Gallery, but when they do something special happens. Often, it involves a face. So here are ten quotes about faces...

“It is pleasure to look on the Picture of any Face, where the Resemblance is hit, but the Pleasure increases, if it be the Picture of a Face that is beautiful, and is still greater, if the Beauty be softened with an Air of Melancholy or Sorrow.” ~ Joseph Addison (1712)

"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." ~Victor Hugo

“If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one?” ~Abraham Lincoln
"The countenance is the portrait of the soul, and the eyes mark its intentions." ~Cicero

"People remain what they are even if their faces fall apart." ~Bertolt Brecht

“The loveliest faces are to be seen by moonlight, when one sees half with the eye and half with fancy.” ~Persian Proverb (EdNote: This might explain why some people like to meet in bars.)

“Clowns wear a face that's painted intentionally on them so they appear to be happy or sad. What kind of mask are you wearing today?” ~Anonymous

“The face of a child can say it all, especially the mouth part of the face.” ~Jack Handy

“I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception.” ~Groucho Marx
Have a nice day and a great week. May your eyes shine and face be bright.

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