IN HER EYES Painting

Artist Johniene Papandreas merges the art of the classical masters with the intensity of the cinematic close-up in paintings that are at once overtly powerful and intensely intimate. She strives to capture the “expression between expressions”, those glimpses into personality sensed rather than seen. As one engages her work, it is not unusual to experience the sensation that the expression is shifting. “My paintings are emotionally provocative, and every reaction is unique because we each carry different emotional baggage”, says Papandreas. “As you gaze into my eyes your subconscious is unpacking that baggage.” The paintings are created entirely by brush on sized, heavyweight muslin (chosen for its unobtrusive weave) in casein, a paint derived from milk or soy protein. It was used widely by artists in earlier times and is enjoying a renaissance today. Though it has similarities to both watercolor and gouache, it is more durable than either and can be used to create both translucent and opaque effects. The paint is applied in thin layers, building visual depth without thickness of paint, and the result is a soft, matte, luminosity that appears to glow from within, even in the dimmest of light. Because of the specialized technique used, the paintings remain pliable and can be safely dismounted, rolled for shipping or storage, and re-stretched as needed. The model for IN HER EYES, like many of her works, is from classical art, in this case it is from “The Virgin of the Rocks” by Leonardo Da Vinci