Current Portrait
Reviews
Artist: Michael Shane Neal
Nashville, Tennessee
Subject: Mr. Steve Bell, Chairman and CEO
Steven D. Bell & Company, Greensboro, North Carolina
Oil on canvas, 40 x 42 inches
 ichael
Shane Neal is a brilliant young artist who is already, early
in his career, attracting international acclaim. He works
in a direct, painterly manner, with a strong architectural
solidity to his forms and a delightfully fresh grasp of light
and shade.
This striking plein air portrait places the sitter
in a twilight of open shade in the foreground, set off by
a sizzling splash of sunlight on the lawn behind. The effect
is simply stunning.
This painting rewards study. The cool, limpid tones that
define the head, hands and figure are exactly right. The cool
side-lighting on the forehead and the left hand is delicious.
And the splash of brilliant sunlight in the background is
both daring and highly effective.
This kind of thoroughly convincing work is based on good,
clear observation and very organized thinking in the execution.
The sunlight glinting on the eyeglasses and ring are masterstrokes.
Congratulations to an important young artist for a resounding
performance. J.H.S.
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