Pete Newara - Such A Lovely Day - 2017

The human face captivates me—it is the most visually compelling subject, offering endless nuances of expression and identity. As filmmaker John Ford once said, when asked what he could possibly shoot in the vast emptiness of the desert, "I'm going to shoot the most interesting thing in the world: the human face." That sentiment continues to resonate deeply with my artistic pursuit.

My creative process begins with photography, often inviting subjects to interact with the camera as if it were a mirror, capturing moments of self-reflection. These images are then digitally manipulated, forming compositions that I transfer onto canvas. Using a combination of acrylics, gouache, oil paints, and gold leaf, I render each portrait with flattened fields of color and gestural marks, resulting in larger-than-life representations of my subjects.

Blending traditional techniques with contemporary digital processes, my work explores how we see ourselves and how we are seen by others. It engages with the aesthetic ideals we uphold—both consciously and unconsciously—when we observe the human form. Through this process, I invite reflection on how identity is shaped—not only by how we see ourselves, but also by how we are perceived, and the roles performance and presentation play in forming that image.

PROCESS & TECHNIQUE