ArtistsNetwork.com 53Irena Roman
Scituate, Massachusetts
Q What was the inspiration for
this painting?
A Colin is from an ongoing series,
“Second Wind,” that challenges stereo-
typical views of aging. My goal is to
focus on the vitality and creativity of
individuals who have developed new
creative pursuits after the age of 65.
Colin, a retired police offi cer, is now an
antiques dealer with an amazing two-
story barn that showcases his
collection and exudes personality.
Th e idea for the series came about
while I was immersed previously in a
still life series featuring vintage glass.
Realizing that the glassware was a
metaphor for aging, I decided to take
a detour and explore narrative, fi gura-
tive portraits that celebrate the grace
and wisdom of those who, through a
lifetime of experience, possess a
wealth of knowledge.
Q Describe your painting process.
A Because I work transparently,
I always take time to do thumbnails
and value studies before beginning a
painting. My work is fairly complex, so
I need to have a solid plan. Once I do,
I create a very light contour drawing
directly on my paper and mask out all
areas that need to be saved. I often
begin painting with a middle-value,
wet-into-wet wash, which is how I
created this piece. Th at wash then
serves as a point of reference for the
rest of the painting’s values. I prepare
my paint by mixing it with water in
8-ounce cups, making sure there will
be enough fl uid paint handy to cover
a large area. When that wash is dry,
I remove the masking fl uid and begin
adding essential details.
Q What kinds of challenges did
you encounter?
A When I pour a wash, I never really
know if what I’ve mixed will end up
being too light or too dark. Too dark
might mean I’ll need to start over; too
light might mean I’ll need to keep
glazing and possibly risk overworking.
My initial wash with Colin did dry
lighter than I’d hoped, so it took a few
more glazes to give it strength.Q What continues to motivate
you creatively?
A Finding subject matter that I love
and creating a body of work has
always been inspirational to me.
Exploring a topic within a series
opens up so many possibilities and
directions. My goal is to continue
letting one series unfold into the
next. Whatever is worthy of a closer
look will appear at some point.Q What do you most enjoy about
painting in watercolor?
A Edward Hopper once stated, “All
I really want to do is paint light on the
side of a house.” For me, painting in
watercolor is all about channeling
radiance. Its transparent nature
allows me to access and preserve that
exact moment of light when the
familiar is transformed into the extra-
ordinary. Interpreting light as glazes
of wash is a welcome challenge—
a moving target and a lifelong quest.Colin (watercolor
on paper, 21x21)“The strength of this portrait is in the wealth of
prioritized details, all of which add to our understanding
of Colin. Color dominance provides visual unity and ties
the painting into a cohesive statement. A well-crafted
portrait increases our understanding of human nature,
and Irena’s painting speaks volumes.” — J.S.THIRD PLACE