Portrait...The Party

Janis Zroback

Portrait...The Party

“The Party” or the party goer..either way her eyes speak volumes as all the other in the series do…the party goes on…is it life…the chatter, unrhymed, no listeners, mistrust?
“You cannot read me like an open book, I’m more myself than you will ever look”, the poem states…and later “Will no one listen to my song, i shan’t be with you very long”...a lot to think about...

Gouache and WAtercolour on Arches Not Paper

Unrhymed, unrhythmical, the chatter goes:
Yet no one hears his own remarks as prose.
Beneath each topic tunelessly discussed
The ground-bass is reciprocal mistrust.
The names in fashion shuttling to and fro
Yield, when deciphered, messages of woe.
You cannot read me like an open book.
I’m more myself than you will ever look.
Will no one listen to my little song?
Perhaps I shan’t be with you very long.
A howl for recognition, shrill with fear,
Shakes the jam-packed apartment, but each ear
Is listening to its hearing, so none hear...Auden


The Beauty


The Star


The Night


The Disguise


The Temptation


The Quiet


The Plea


Le Maquillage


The Queen


The Masquerade


The Cameo

Portrait...The Party belongs to the following groups:

1 on 1: The Fine Art of Portraiture , * Painted Ladies *, Complex Simplicity of Art, ! 100% !, ! Inspired Art !, "Exceptional Ekphrasis", All Around the Styles, Art Inspired by Dreams, AW Welcome Center, Bits and Pieces , Canada ~ *Temporarily Closed for Overhaul*, Contemporary Professional Painters and Sculptors, Decorative and Traditional Art, Descriptions, EF Welcome Center, Everyday Life, Feminine Intent (LIMIT TWO IMAGES PER DAY), First Things, If it doesn't belong, Impressionist Art, JPG Cast-Offs, Light In The Darkness, Live and Let Live, Live, Love, Dream: May you have a Blessed Christmas Season , Mature Woman, Mixed Media, Moody, Dark, Evocative (no nudes), Outsiders, Prize Challenges!!, Realist Traditional Art, Safe Haven, THE DIVINE FEMININE, The Patchwork , The Scavenger Hunt, THE SISTERHOOD, The true beauty, Tuesday Afternoon, Unconventional Artistry - 3 per day, Who are YOU to Judge? and Woman Appreciation Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Portrait...The Party by Janis Zroback
Portrait...The Party by Janis Zroback
  • Janis Zroback

    Janis Zroback


    You cannot read me like an open book.
    I’m more myself than you will ever look.
    Will no one listen to my little song?
    Perhaps I shan’t be with you very long    .

  • John Fish

    John Fish

    I just love these wonderfully painted portraits. so beautiful and rich in character. I feel as if looking at them all is like going to a party, each guest with a fascinating, secret story the shines through the blazing eyes and expressive, if sometimes tense, mouths. what a pleasure to view these

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I am thrilled that you are enjoying them John..it’s very gratifying to read your always insightful comments…thank you so much…

  • kjgordon

    kjgordon

    Time For Mardi Gras….............

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Yes…but what about the painting…

  • kjgordon

    kjgordon

    my comment was on the painting…..........
    looks like this wahini (if she is a she) is preparing Mardi Gras’..............

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I know …not what I meant, but that’s o.k.

  • BLYTHART

    BLYTHART

    A painting that can’t be ignored. great lips.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much.. no she’s right in your face.. :))

  • thepaintedsoul

    thepaintedsoul

    This whole series is so arresting Janis. This image has such a tragic hardness to it. There’s a sense of resolve at a choice made. Powerfully done. RPS

  • Janis Zroback replied

    A life of “parties” literally or metaphorically, tends to harden the soul..yes she has regretfully made certain choices and cannot or will not bend…
    On one level all my portraits talk about putting on a face for the world to hide the truth, what ever it is, tragedy, sorrow, pain etc…even one as peaceful looking as “The Star”...
    Underneath there is something else we need to dig deep for…in each case the eyes betray and tell the story…as you look you will find that there are many stories in each layer.
    Thank you so much for your insightful comment Michael…I am so glad you like the series..

  • Monica Scanlan

    Monica Scanlan

    Great image, Janis!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much Monica… :))

  • Alison Pearce

    Alison Pearce

    Beautiful!!!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much Alison… :))

  • Janis Zroback

    Janis Zroback

  • mimi yoon

    mimi yoon

    love your portrait series, janis…. very intense and gorgeous… : )

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much Mimi…I have always admired yours….
    I never attempted to paint any portrait (except for one last year) till I started this series two weeks ago…..I thought my use of vibrant colour would be a hindrance, but I decided to go ahead and I am enjoying the process very much…I am really pleased with the response…

  • catherine walker

    catherine walker

    Oh my ..this is just fantastic janis..really wonderful again!!

    I can’t help but notice how unique your style is..these faces really have your own stamp or style on them ..it’s so rich ..and so well done ..amazing really !

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Yes there is a difference in the way I tackle portraits from the usual…e.g.I place no expression lines on any face, and yet they all have different expressions…I have my own style I guess…thank you so much Catherine…

  • Ming Myaskovsky

    Ming Myaskovsky

    Jaw dropping!! I am absolutely in awe of this series!! Gorgeous!! :))

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much for that wonderful comment Ming…I really appreciate it…

  • bev langby

    bev langby

    wow shes not like the others not sure about her lol

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I don’t think any of them are like each other… :)))

  • Janis Zroback

    Janis Zroback

  • Jim Phillips

    Jim Phillips

    With the hair style, it looks as though she could be a party lady of the carefree 1920’s.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    She might be, but with all the retro looks nowadays, she is very current…it isn’t really a party as such but a metaphor for life…Auden says it very well for me..

  • Linda Callaghan

    Linda Callaghan

    another beauty Janis… so much has gone on and is still going on behind those eyes…her pain is hidden…and I see her trying to be noticed .. provoking image.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Noticed and yet hiding in plain sight…I have known people like this when I used to be in the working world…wanting desperately to be noticed, needing attention, with exaggerated make-up and clothing..on another larger level it is a general statement about life…the party we are all guests at…there are some who will never be heard…they are the voices that no one hears, as there is too much clamour going on…thanks so much Linda…

  • bev langby

    bev langby

    I didnt mean it that way i mean the others have a certain appeal but i find myself not liking her for some reason , not the painting , her …...,

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Ah her personality is coming through to you…then I must be a better painter than I think I am…LOL…she is the person in the office that is difficult to like but under the brashness there is a vulnerability that is appealing…but actually the larger message of the painting is that she is dressed for the party that is life, and she needs to be noticed to be heard…so many are never heard…

  • FlowersEtc

    FlowersEtc

    Wow, awesome

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much ann…very nice of you..

  • Euan Thorburn

    Euan Thorburn

    a fabulous series janis
    congrats
    xxxxx

  • Janis Zroback replied

    I am always delighted to see you Euan…thank you so much for coming by, with your very flattering comments…I appreciate it..

  • Karin Taylor

    Karin Taylorcommunity helper

    fantastic, so bold and beautiful, i just love her luscious lips, and the dramatic expression… i also love the way her hair is slicked back from her face Janis!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    There are many layers to this story, but the first one is all about who she is and I think many of us know atleast one person like her…thank you so much Karin…

  • Varry

    Varry

    Stunning series Janis,im really enjoying it…Fantastic colour in the skin tones..

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much Varry…that’s very nice of you…

  • webbie

    webbie

    So awsome sis ..wishfull yet not sure…great capture of life..huggggggggz

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much Thelma…you are very right about her being wishful and not sure…

  • Carla Jensen

    Carla Jensen

    Again Stunning work …Janis!!!
    She maybe ready to go to a party , but this women is not in a partying mood! in fact she is so very ,very sad , lost, and feeling very alone at something she is fixen to loose or has already lost! be it ,a battle , a love , or a person! Well at least that the way I see this. Amazing once again my friend wtg!!!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Well said….very insightful, intuitive, comment…thank you so much Carla…..

  • Solomon Walker

    Solomon Walker

    captivating art!

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much Solomon.. :))

  • JeffeeArt4u

    JeffeeArt4u

    I like the color and she is my favorite.

  • Janis Zroback replied

    Thank you so much… :))

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