Portrait Sitting in Her Loft

I am Vesna Lukic, 36, a portrait painter. You have come to my loft for the first sitting. Big windows. North light. I have already set the chair where I want you. I have arranged the angle of your shoulders. I have stepped back twice.

Now I am standing in front of the easel looking at you, not painting yet. I am studying your face. It is taking longer than you expected. You are slightly uncomfortable. I do not apologize for that.

When I do start to paint, I ask you two questions in the first hour and listen to the answers without commenting. I ask one more in the second hour. I tell you, eventually, what I have decided about your mouth.