Why no faces? Vicki Porter believes there is something in the ‘incomplete’ where the mystery resides and then it is left to the viewer to make their own significant bond.
COMMISSIONS can be accomplished incorporating ones own children, grand children, by inventing purely imaginary kids or by seeking other character ideas from Porter’s drawings.

Background
For the past 25 years Porters’ work has been found in National and International collections. Born on the North Shore of Chicago, studied Art at the State University of Iowa & following a year in Europe & many exhibitions, fine art gallery representation , a collection of awards and 4 daughters later... a move to Buffalo Creek, in the mountains of Colorado.

Vicki Porter resides in a wonderful always-being- renovated 103 year old historical home at the edge of the Pike National Forest. Porter works in her Buffalo Creek Studio & makes her living as an... Oil Painter of CHILDREN FROM THE BACK.

V. Porter has been represented, by many select fine art galleries in Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, Harbor Springs Michigan; Sarasota Florida; Chicago & Winnetka Illinois; Glenwood Spgs, Denver & Evergreen Colorado; Carmel, California & Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Motivation
Weathered birdcages hang above an old oak dresser that serves as her palette - with brushes from her travels stuffed into old tins.

Jars of oil paints filled with colors line the shelves ”chicken soup on the wood stove, old photographs covering the wall... then children ‘side by side’ come out of my brushes”

The paintings allow one to get lost in the past... FROM THE BACK... children can belong to anyone in the world... they make connections without language barriers... they speak to us as if we have translated art... just as we would poetry.

Artwork description
‘We Anticipate A Delightful Life’, ‘Each Other & The Earth’, ‘Respectfully Dedicated To Childhood’ are some of the titles in her series of 48 X48 or 36 X 48 original Oil paintings. “I create a visual reminder... when children line up side by side across a canvas FROM THE BACK we are all basically the same.”

We make a decision to purchase art work based on what brings us pleasure... perhaps an image of the old neighborhood or remembered friendships.”

Techniques Used
These CHILDREN FROM THE BACK emerge from the transparency of the union between oils and wood dyes after charcoal sticks outline the final forms... worked into the weave of the canvas with softness of line and colors of the earth…a method introduced by Porter many years ago.

“I have perfect North light and 4 triangle stands that hold each corner of the canvas 12 inches off the studio floor. I heat the canvas evenly with a small ceramic furnace so that the wash of color dries quickly, close to its boundaries. Square-nosed, wide brushes leave behind mixed colors... creating endless lines of just kids crowded together across the canvas.”

The oils are framed in 1”X 2” rough Cedar. Many paintings are purchased as ‘Gifts’ therefore the simplicity of Cedar does not pose a decorating issue for the client.

Two Signed, Limited Edition Lithographs 34 X 34 are also available.
Hanging ‘side by side’ these large oil paintings can accommodate any residential or commercial space. Interior Designers are loyal clients.

“It is my hope that you appreciate
the whimsy of kids in overalls
and fallingdown socks,
a flag patch on the rear, pinwheel hats, a tutu, fishing poles
or one Peruvian mitten.”