illustrator Louisa Bertman’s splatter portraits capture their subject’s souls
Thursday, June 29th, 2006 
Bertman’s unique approach to portraiture is refreshing. Her bold use of color seems natural as if a beard should be green – think about what it would be like if Wolf Kahn painted portraits – then she splatters her canvas with enhancing ink stains -- creating an eerie vibrant canvas. Her style does not shy away from depicting the grotesque or flinch at highlighting the inner angst and beauty of her subjects. But her technique is not her gift. It’s the eyes. She tells her subject's stories. Bertman’s portraits also promote social awareness and activism for HIV/AIDS and The Holocaust. She collaborated on teaching materials with the book, A is for AIDS, using the alphabet to further confront misconceptions and negative attitudes towards HIV and the AIDS virus. Recently, Bertman began working on a short 3D animated film titled "Tits" which takes a humorous look at how the world responds to a nursing mother. Bertman has painted portraits of well-known personalities including musicians, actors, scholars, artists, dancers, and activists. Her commissioned portraits reside in private collections and homes worldwide. Some have graced the episodes of television shows such as The Gilmore Girls, and covers and contents of periodicals such as LA Journal, YRB and Playgirl Magazine. Bertman's portraits featured monthly in Jazziz Magazine.
» original news
