John Muir

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world." - John Muir

20x30 inches charcoal and acrylic on canvas

Portrait of Geo (The Leo) Smith

I met Geo one night at the Acme bar in Berkeley, with blue chalk on my nose and a goodbye on my breath for a friend who was leaving for Chicago the next morning. It was a going away celebration, but Geo was the first of many new friends to come. This is a portrait of a portrait: I worked from a picture of Geo next to a portrait drawn of him by his friend and artist Leah Svendsen.
The piece is 14 x 20 inches of oil pastel, charcoal and gesso on canvas.

Here is a portrait of my friend Adam, who makes beautiful, devastatingly intricate artwork and is fluent in Japanese. He is a great inspiration to me, also known as a muse in it's most classic definition. This portrait is 14x20 and is oil pastel, acrylic and gesso on canvas.

A second portrait of Rafael Casal. I feel I captured his likeness more in this one than the first. A personal challenge. It measures 18x20 and is charcoal, oil pastel, and acrylic on canvas.

Portrait of Rafael Casal

Rafael Casal is a poet and musician based in the San Francisco Bay Area. His recent release "Slang Top 100" compelled me to learn more about him. This portrait is the result of that inquiry. Learn more about Rafael and The Getback at http://www.getbacknews.blogspot.com/

Valentin Lulevich

30x30 oil pastels, charcoal, watercolor on canvas
Val proposed a trade: sailing for a portrait. I gladly accepted. Traveling with Val is always an adventure, whether by boat, Jag, Ducati or Bart. I am eagar to learn how to raise the jib.

Portrait of Gabriel Bollag

20x20 acrylic, charcoal, oil pastel on canvas

I traveled across the southern United States with Gabriel after graduating from college: it was my first time experiencing America outside of California (and a tiny part of Nevada).
Through those two weeks, thoughts, imaginings and fantasies lay before me suspended over the actuality of the country I was born into, and the life I might choose to live. Some of those notions crystallized, some were shattered. And Gabe was a much appreciated companion through it all.

Portrait of Jay Mak

14x20 acrylic, charcoal, oil pastel

I met Jay in college, and we became friends over our common love of sandwiches. I plan to do a portrait of a sandwich, from a picture of his choice, in his honor.

Portrait of Peter Larson

20x40 acrylic, charcoal, oil pastel on canvas
Peter Larson is a very funny man. I have known and laughed at him since high school. I hope this portrait makes up for that, a little.

Portrait of Blake Williams

20x20 acrylic, charcoal and oil pastel on canvas

Blake Williams is a musician and master-web-designer currently residing in the East Bay area. He is the creator of my website (www.kaitlinmcsweeney.com) and is generally inspiring. His voice will haunt you.
Experience him for yourself at his website:
www.blake-williams.com

"The Apple Ponderer" (Portrait of Miles K.)

28x22 inches, oil paint and oil pastels on canvas
Thanks to Miles for letting me work from his beautiful photo, and thanks to Trevor Hill for the title.
Miles currently works the San Francisco Bay Area as a stand-up comedian, as does Trevor Hill. I've been shadowing them and their very-fancy group of funny ones sketching and laughing in bars and clubs; one of my new favorite things to do.
Get a better view of Miles K. at his website:
www.cleverthingstosay.com