Artist Caren Ginsberg is after the heart of Los Angeles. Her notable portraits of famed actors, directors, designers and social shapers stand alone as masterpieces of expression of our cultural past. Her fine art background combined with her distinct style makes Ginsberg one of today’s most fascinating portrait artists.
How do you choose your subjects?
I am always looking at images, whether in books, films or at passers by when I am walking the dog or traveling through airports. And, even when I see an individual, their face will often remind me of someone from the past who I find to be an interesting subject.
You started out as photographer, why the switch to painting?
Actually, I felt that I could give my subjects more dimension through my paintings, but I still love photography. The painting medium is also more tactile for me. I can actually feel the work I am creating. There is much less of that with photography.
If you could have one person visit your studio to paint, who would it be?
It is almost impossible to select one person, one face, among them all. I love painting women from the past and so, if it is imperative to choose, maybe I’d say Bette Davis. I have found it difficult to find a photo of her that turns me on.
Does living in Los Angeles influence the way you portray celebrities in your work?
Living in L.A. is influential in that it projects a sense of celebrity which works perfectly with my sense of larger than life personalities. We are surrounded by celebrity, current and past, and all that it conjures up.
If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
An artist. There’s no other choice.
To see more of Caren Ginsberg’s work, please visit carenginsberg.com. This artist was selected by Fine Art Advisor, Cynthia Greenwald. For further information, please contact Cynthia at (310) 433-9310 or cynthia@artbuyer.biz.
