Marilyn Monroe
© Craig Alan

Portraits of People . . . A Thousand Points of Life

Perceptions change as we look at the world from different perspectives. Such variations in viewpoints are what make life interesting.

What we see at a distance affects us one way. When we move in closer, we may experience something else. This evolution is the spice of creative expression.

What do you see in the image above at first glance?

Yes, it’s Marilyn Monroe, portrayed in a unique minimalist, semi-pointillist style. But look closer. You see much more. Her face, her hair, the textures, the colors are all built from humanity. Atlanta-based artist Craig Alan uses people as his artistic building blocks.

Oh, I See

The first perception provides one view. But with a closer look, something else emerges.

Put into the simpler words of one surprised fan, “OMG, it’s made of little people.”

A Closer Look

We have to look even more closely to see that this image isn’t an elaborate aerial photography shoot.

There is no skyborn director shouting orders to a group of extras, moving them this way or that to form an eyebrow or a graceful curve in the neck.

Craig Alan is completely in control of his tiny people. He creates each and every one—with microscopic clothes, individual characteristics and gestures, and realistic shadows.

The individuals then blend together to become the strokes of an imaginary brush.

The work is creative expression with a unique perspective—an artful integration of the precision of a Chinese Olympic opening and the color-coded fun of card stunts at football games, where a whole stadium becomes a mass graphic.

Audrey Hepburn
© Craig Alan

Marilyn, Audrey, and Elvis

Craig’s main subjects for the “Populus” series are celebrities. He chooses these pop culture icons because society (represented by his masses of small figures) has been key in creating their fame. The relationship is important to his message.

“Without us,” Craig says, “these celebrities would not have been who they were or are today.” The little people are important in making (or breaking) the stars.

Secrets of the Tiny Figures

There is sometimes a secret about Craig that is revealed in one of the tiny figures (you have to look hard!), but mostly you see his astute people-watching skills coming into play and his belief that “observation is a key tool in his profession.” His figures are very realistic.

Craig hopes that viewers are drawn in by the person portrayed, but then are able to find some part of themselves in the figures.

Elvis Presley
© Craig Alan

Points of Life

Some people who have featured Craig’s work (without a careful eye) think it’s aerial photography and wonder how he maintained crowd control and artistic vision for such grand scale choreography.

Vigilent viewing is required. His work is only the perception of aerial photography. However, he did get the idea from an aerial-like experience.

He was in Alabama photographing people on the beach from his mother’s 6^th floor balcony and saw that the crowd began to create patterns. When he saw an eye forming on the beach, “the creative wheels started turning.”

Do you know who this is?
© Craig Alan

He maintained the aerial perspective as he began using small figures as artistic elements. And throughout his creative work with portraits of people, he continued his pursuit of the relationship between things great and small.

“For me,” Craig says, “the people, how they interact with one another, and what they come together to make is the most important aspect of each painting. We are all symbiotic beings, all part of something greater and lesser than ourselves.”

Such variations make life interesting.

Artist Craig Alan
© Henrik Abedian

Craig Alan’s work can be seen at the Deljou Art Group.

Thank you to Colossal and Bored Panda for introducing Craig Alan to OIC.

Inquiries about Craig Alan’s work should be sent to sonja@deljouartgroup.com

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