1. Chuck Close UNIT 1: IDENTITY LTC 4240: Art for Children
Presentation by Mary Franco
and Amber Ward

2. Charles Osgood interview with Chuck Close (4:07)
Artist Chuck Close writes note to younger self (8:08)

3. IMPOSED IDENTITY “I was ‘dumb,’ a ‘shirker,’ ‘lazy;’
Big Self-Portrait Chuck Close 1967–1968 acrylic on canvas
“I was ‘dumb,’ a ‘shirker,’ ‘lazy;’
This was written on my report cards.”
my ‘mind wandered.’
Chuck Close

4. With hard work and determination, Close assumed a new IDENTITY
“one of the most recognized artists of our era”
(who just happens to have a few disabilities.)

5. Chuck Close’s work is about IDENTITY
By creating monumental
hyperrealistic portraits,
Close captures the model’s unique identifying marks that distinguish her from
all others.
Leslie, 1973
Chuck Close

6. Close’s mark-making impacts Perceived IDENTITY of the model
multiples of friend, Composer Phillip Glass
Close has portrayed Glass’s face more than any
other, recycling a 1968 image of the composer
“150 times or something” (Comita citing Close, 2007)

7. His marks, methods, and materials
Chuck Close, “Georgia,” 1984
Pulp Paper Collage
Chuck Close, “Zhang Huan I,” 2008
Chuck Close,
“Fanny/Fingerpainting,” 1985
His marks, methods, and materials
evoke different feelings about each model’s IDENTITY
Chuck Close, “Lucas,” 1987

8. “I think problem-solving is highly overrated
“I think problem-solving is highly overrated. Problem CREATION is much more interesting. If you want to react personally, you have to move away from other people’s ideas. You have to back yourself into your own corner where no one else’s solutions apply and ask yourself to behave as an individual.” (Greenberg & Jordan citing Close, 1998)

9. Chuck Close meets Walt Disney: Marks, Multiples, and Materials
LTC 4240: Art for Children
Spring Semester 2013
Lesson Created by Olivia Gude

10. Into the Complex Characters of Disney
Begin on page 2
Consider two Disney characters that, for some reason, appeal to you: one protagonist and one antagonist
Write the two names on the provided blanks
List traits of each character in the 2nd column. Conduct research on the web, if necessary (try Disney.wikia.com)
In the first column, rate yourself on a scale of 1 to 5 for each row based upon similar traits (be honest)
Compete the last column for each character by providing evidence of similarities
Find the average of both the protagonist and the antagonist
What did you find? Any surprises?
Consider which character(s) you would like to honor, and continue the discovery process through artmaking
If necessary, complete the exercise again using additional characters on page 1

11. Artmaking
Using “marks, multiples, and materials,” create a painting and/or drawing representing your multifaceted identity.
Consider utilizing layering and juxtaposition to assist you in honoring the unique identifying marks that distinguish you from all others.
Please experiment with several of the following materials: Disney character pages, photos, tracing paper, construction paper, scissors, adhesive, crayon, and/or watercolors.
Student work:

12. Words of Wisdom from Chuck Close
“Never let anyone define what you are capable of by using parameters that don’t apply to you.”
“Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get up and go to work.”
“Sign on to a process and see where it takes you.”
“If you’re overwhelmed by the size of a problem, break it down Into mini bite-sized pieces.”

13. References
Greenberg, J., & Jordan, S. (1998). Chuck Close, Upclose. New York, NY: DK. Osgood, C. (2010, February 21). [Video interview]. CBS Sunday Morning. Retrieved from Rose, C. (2012, April 10). Note to self: Artist Chuck Close’s advise to younger self. CBS This Morning. Retrieved from

14. Additional Resources
Print various kinds of graph paper for free on your own printer. A Musical Portrait of Chuck Close by Phillip Glass