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Painter Chuck Close has died. Chuck Close made a huge impression on me when I saw his painting of Philip Glass at the Whitney when our family visited NY in 1980. I stood in front of that large painting completely mesmerized for what seemed like hours. I would take a look at some other paintings and then wander back over to the Chuck Close. I was ten years old and that day marked a turning point… I became extremely focused on drawing well and I would dedicate hours to rendering realistically. Ultimately my art went a very different direction, but those hours of observing and editing benefitted every aspect of my art and made me more precise. The drawing of mine from 1988, when I was a Freshman at RISD, based on one of my own photos, is basically a Chuck Close tribute(a bit of Robert Longo too). I was invited in 2011 by Chuck to visit his studio. He was very friendly and funny. I’ll always appreciate that he took the time to share his art processes and ask me about my art, considering that he was a major inspiration. Rest In Peace Chuck.
-Shepard
