Eli Portman: Artist
Current Showings:
November-December: 2 pieces in 'Small Works' Copley Society of Art, Newbury St, Boston, MA
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It's a pleasure for me to present "Selected Views of Boston"
A 21 page collection of my best remderings of Boston over the last decade. Click the image for more info! |
Winter Class Offerings:
MFA:
City Painting with Watercolors: https://www.mfa.org/event/studio-art-classes/city-painting-with-watercolors-3?event=109126 Watercolor with Pen and Ink Section I: www.mfa.org/event/studio-art-classes/watercolor-with-pen-and-ink-1?event=109176 Watercolor with Pen and Ink Section II:www.mfa.org/event/studio-art-classes/watercolor-with-pen-and-ink-0?event=108791 Eliot School, Jamaica Plain: Watercolor for Beginners: https://eliotschool.org/classes/watercolor-painting-beginners-1w24 Basic Drawing: https://eliotschool.org/classes/basic-drawing-1w24 |
Winter Intermediate Watercolors Class 2024- Tuesday Mornings
$180.00
In this INTERMEDIATE watercolor course we'll be learning about applying our watercolor techniques to a variety of imagery. We'll discuss wet on wet techniques, shading, color application, etc.. Class will be IN PERSON AT ARTIST'S STUDIO. GROUP IS SMALL ( 3 PEOPLE + TEACHER) Classes will be at 30 Ipswich Street, Fenway, Boston MA. Meter Parking is somewhat available nearby (Red Sox game depending) and just blocks away from the Hynes Convention Center Green Line Station. Class will be 6 Sessions! Tuesday Mornings 11am-1pm January 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th February 6th, 13th 3 total slots are available in this class. This class is open to Teens age 14+ and Adults of all ages. Classes are appropriate for intermediate skill levels. Registration Closes Sunday January 7th for this class! --------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommended Supplies: Pencils, Eraser (white), 12 inch ruler, scrap paper of your choosing (printer paper is fine), several plastic plates (disposable are fine) paper towels, cup of water Watercolor Pan Set: https://www.dickblick.com/items/talens-angora-watercolor-pan-set-set-of-36-colors-pans/ OR tubes: Carmine Prussian Blue or Ultramarine Lemon Yellow Hue Titanium White Black (any) Burnt Sienna Plastic Paint Palette Watercolor Pad: https://www.dickblick.com/items/canson-xl-watercolor-pad-11-x-15-euro-fold-30-sheets/ Brushes: https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-select-synthetic-brush-angle-shader-short-handle-size-14/ https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-select-synthetic-brush-liner-mini-handle-size-200/ https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-select-synthetic-brush-round-short-handle-size-10/ https://www.dickblick.com/items/princeton-select-synthetic-brush-flat-wash-short-handle-size-12/ dickblick.com/items/princeton-select-synthetic-brush-liner-short-handle-size-2/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------. ---------------------------------------------------------------------. Refunds available only until the first class starts. After that all sales are final. |
I am fascinated with the concept of perception. Many experiences in my life have made me feel quite alone. In those moments, I feel unique in the way that I perceive things. And yet at the same time, I strongly believe that we as human beings share many experiences, many thoughts, feelings, and reactions.
With my work, I approach the dissonance between perceived unique individual solitude in a crowded environment, and the commonness and sameness of such feelings.
Using detailed line work and heavy colors, I illustrate moments of 'unique' isolation that we all share. The feeling of walking alone while viewing social excitement through nighttime windows, or working while others play to their contentment.
With controlled ink lines, I capture shadows and lights. Familiar angles, familiar feelings brought on by time of day or night, placement and presence in one’s environment. I manipulate the openness and tightness of visual spaces and interiors to reflect the claustrophobia of society's open space and the endless emptiness of being crowded and crushed.
With strong colors, I attract the viewer’s eyes to specific spaces within the composition, reminding them of their own perceptions of environment, and that I, like them, find myself in there too. By capturing these scenes, I present the commonality between them and me. Though they do not know me, we are united by the sameness of the humanity we all share.
The art exhibitions that affect me most strongly are the ones that remind me of myself. Of what I love, of what I find beautiful, and of what I fear. We are always looking for a certain degree of reflections of ourselves. In images, in friends, in pets, in communities, in romantic partners. With my artwork, I attempt to bridge the gaps of solitude by harnessing that innate search for our reflections. With familiar scenes, bright colors, and fine details of everyday objects and structures, I create scenes that are familiar in their individuality.