SHARE

Katonah Museum Of Art Celebrates Family Portrait Day

KATONAH, N.Y. -- Families gathered at the Katonah Museum of Art Sunday to celebrate the artistic power of the portrait.

Chris Ryan, Eloise Toothman and Jack Ryan create photo collages at the Katonah Museum of Art's Family Portrait Day.

Chris Ryan, Eloise Toothman and Jack Ryan create photo collages at the Katonah Museum of Art's Family Portrait Day.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Illustrator Jerry Pinkney reads from "Black Cowboy, Wild Horses" at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Illustrator Jerry Pinkney reads from "Black Cowboy, Wild Horses" at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Charcoal artist Vicente Saavedra creates a portrait at Family Portrait Day.

Charcoal artist Vicente Saavedra creates a portrait at Family Portrait Day.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Artist Jessica Miller paints a portrait of a young visitor using acrylic paint.

Artist Jessica Miller paints a portrait of a young visitor using acrylic paint.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Kids make sculpted portrait coins at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Kids make sculpted portrait coins at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue
Isabella Bannerman sketches a line drawing portrait at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Isabella Bannerman sketches a line drawing portrait at the Katonah Museum of Art.

Photo Credit: Casey Donahue

Family Portrait Day featured four professional portrait artists working in distinct media. In 30 minutes, visitors were able to get their portraits done in acryllic paint by Jessica Miller, black and white line drawings by Isabella Bannerman, tintype photography by Daniel Ballesteros or charloas drawings by Vicente Saavedre.

The day also featured a visit from Caldecott Award-winning children's book illustrator Jerry Pinkney, who discussed his work with families and read from his book "Black Cowboy, Wild Horses." The book features many illustrations of horses, which he prepared for by studying hours of film footage in order to capture their grace and beauty.

"This was one of my most rewarding books. It challenged me in a way that I think brought out the best in me," said Pinkney, who lives in Croton-on-Hudson.

After the reading, children were able to work on portrait creations of their own. There was a sculpting project, where kids were able to make able to make clay portrait coins. They also had their pictures taken and printed out for them to color and put together into crazy photo collages.

"I love pieces of art," said little Jack Ryan and he worked on a photo collage. "It's bright and really nice."

There was also a guided tour of the museum's current exhibit, "Eye to I...3,000 Years of Portraits." The tour group gathered around portrait pieces from the exhibit and looked at them without any context. They then held a discussion on the works, where they talked about what impressions they got of the subjects and the artists' techniques.

to follow Daily Voice Bedford and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE