Unveiling spotlights a recently completed portrait commission or figurative work from some of the most renowned artists of today. This month, Kimberly Azzarito, assistant director of the Portrait Society, interviewed Chris diDomizio about his portrait commission of President Jimmy Carter.

Unveiling: Portrait of President Jimmy Carter

By Kimberly Azzarito

Over the past several years, Georgia-based artist Chris diDomizio has completed a series of drawings and paintings of former president Jimmy Carter. Recently, one of his paintings from the series was acquired for the permanent collection of the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C. According to diDomizio, his journey to painting President Carter happened by chance—and brought new inspiration to his creative process.

Chris diDomizio, President Carter, oil, 20 x 30”

“After taking nearly 20 years off from commissioned portrait painting, I decided to test the waters again with a new beginning,” diDomizio explains. “After this decision, I was approached about doing a legacy series of drawings and paintings of President Carter. I was given some images from the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park and archive in Plains, Georgia—Carter’s birthplace—and decided to make a trip to view them in person.” After visiting the archive and immersing himself in images of Carter’s life and work, diDomizio was inspired to further understand Carter’s legacy, uncovering a history that went much deeper than the photographs. On that first trip to Carter’s birthplace, he also had the honor of meeting the former president and his wife. “To say that was the opportunity of a lifetime would be an understatement,” he recalls.

For his work on this series, diDomizio conducted numerous interviews, including hours-long conversations with the people central to President Carter’s life. “In my 40-year career, I have always approached art as more than just a picture,” he explains. “I approach drawing or painting in a multifaceted way. It is about conveying to the viewer through art the depth that you don’t get to see on the outside.” With so many interviews, reference photos and biographical notes to work with, diDomizio began journaling to help him process through the material and to have a record of his personal experiences working on the project. This comprehensive process allowed him to bring a richer understanding to his portraits of President Carter. The complete series includes numerous drawings in graphite and charcoal, as well as paintings and oil sketches, for the Carter Center, Carter Library and Carter Historic Museum. “Looking back, I have enjoyed this experience and getting to know the people around the president. For me, art is much more that critiquing someone’s work or learning the theories of the Old Masters. Art is about telling a story. And that story can only be told by understanding the emotions that lead up to the art coming to life.”

A nationally award-winning artist, diDomizio also has over 30 years of teaching experience. He is the president, owner and art teacher of diDomizio Arts School located in Roswell, Georgia, whose goal is training artists to become teachers and leaders in the art community. Over the past 20 years, he has instructed and mentored thousands of students with currently over 150 students a week. He is also a longtime member of the Portrait Society of Atlanta. Learn more about diDomizio’s work and teaching at www.didomizioartscenter.com. —