"You learn a lot about a person just by the way they carry themselves. I find that older people have a lot of character. They sit just how they want to sit. They have attitude. They're doing their own thing. I try to find that inside them. It's fun to find the strengths and weaknesses in everybody; it's what we all have in common."

This new series of paintings is a continuation of Ms. Confar's portraits that capture the unselfconscious personae of everyday people. Her diminutive paintings on panel and wood block are carefully rendered to reveal the unique details of a person's facial expression and stance, often appearing to recall familiar old friends and relatives. Confar often exaggerates these aspects in an effort to convey a sense of inner humanity. An emphasis on the individual figure is enhanced through the use of spare backgrounds such as horizon lines, simplified landscapes, or iconic gold leaf.

Confar's inspiration stems from an interest in vintage photographs, memories, and fiction. She develops "characters" that are sometimes real, sometimes not, but always impart a story that the artist weaves. As with Joan thinks about the way life should be., the titles that accompany the paintings are often humorous and telling, adding another dimension to her penchant for storytelling. With a little help from the artist, personalities and emotions emerge through our own suppositions.

Daphne Confar received her B.F.A. from the Art Institute of Southern California and her M.F.A. from Boston University. Her paintings are included in numerous private and corporate collections.
 

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