Tommy
The source image for this portrait was selected after carefully viewing hours of video footage. Initially I look for people whose character, stories and experiences interest me, but with that in mind, these being portraits, they must have a face and a look. With all the will in the world a person’s humanity won’t be captured if their face does not convey it. The man portrayed is called Tommy. He lives in a rough shelter in woodland and talks of the cycle of no permanent home and a lack of work. No home means no job and no job means no permanent home.
The tone and manner of his voice is warm and without bitterness. His unusual appearance adds to his appeal. Long curls frame an older face and cascade down from beneath a battered cap. He is well kept and clean, giving a clue to some pride and self-respect. Tommy expresses his frustration at watching the world going on around him without being able to take part. Although his look and expression is non-confrontational it still has power. His pride and resilience is evident. He speaks without self-pity but his face tells of his frustration at the constant battle and many losses that his daily life entails.
Tommy’s view is averted from the viewer as though looking to that world that at this time he cannot be a part of. I chose this faraway, contemplative look from many stills I had taken from the video source as I thought it captured well the disconnect from the rest of the world that many unsheltered people speak of. Tommy’s full story is not told so how he became homeless is not revealed. This helped me to paint him in a nonjudgmental way and retain a certain amount of the neutrality I have been aiming for. I hope to leave the viewer to draw their own conclusions about the work and the people portrayed. The conclusions they draw will possibly have as much to do with their own background, knowledge and life experience as those of the people portrayed.
