Mark Sheeky Artworks

About this painting

A painting of silent film actress Claire Luce. I've often painted silent film stars, primarily as technical exercises in the art of portraiture. There was, and remains, something about the images of the silent film era which appeals.

This particular early portrait holds a special feeling for me. The painting has hung opposite my bed since it was painted, so is the last thing I see each night. Her expression seems to change to reflect my mood.

I've painted this portrait many times but, despite vast technical improvements, can never capture the magic of his portrait. Of course, each portrait has its own magic that no copy can capture anyway. This defines the magic of painting.