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K-Statement
A portrait of passion
Athletes describe it as being "in the zone" while a psychology professor may call it "Flow." It's the feeling of being so caught up in the activity at hand that nothing else seems to matter. The feeling of total absorption disregarding time, place and reality. It's the feeling described by Clive Fullagar, professor of industrial and organizational psychology, when painting a portrait.
Fullagar's process for painting portraits has been developed over the years into an art form within itself. "You have to capture an essential element of what you're painting," Fullagar said. "A portrait painting is very personal." To acquire the distinctness, Fullagar interviews portrait subjects before painting to gain a better understanding of the individual's character and personality. "An interview offers so much more participation than a typical sit-in," Fullagar said. "I discover things about people in the interview that would otherwise not be visible but are a key component of who they are as a person."
"People have less time these days and don't want to take the time to sit for a portrait," Fullagar said. "However, paintings are coming back and people are realizing the value of art." A typical portrait, 30 by 60 inches in size, takes roughly six weeks to be completed, and for Fullagar it is time well spent. "I don't have a set schedule of when I paint," Fullagar said. "It's hard to paint at night because of the lighting and my weekends are busy like most people, but I still try to find the time." Fullagar relates his passion for painting to his teaching and research as he explores the physical and mental consequences of creative activities and work. Fullagar's personal experience of painting is parallel to his research of the relation of "Flow" and happiness. "When a person experiences 'Flow' they feel completely happy and fulfilled," he said. "We live for those moments."
"It's an art that people are truly grateful for, perhaps more than any other art," Fullagar said. "Portrait painting has a meaningful impact on the people being portrayed and they are very appreciative. It is intrinsically motivating, much like teaching, in the sense that you are affecting someone's life."
Images: A sampling of Fullagar's portraits. May 3, 2007 / Vol. 29, No. 20
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Despite never having formal art training, Fullagar began painting as a personal visual record of sceneries on vacations. From landscapes Fullagar moved on to painting portraits of family member and friends, which has led to the completion of nearly nine commissioned oil painting portraits, including the K-State presidential portrait of Duane Acker. Acker was president of K-State from 1975 to 1986. His portrait was unveiled in Anderson Hall last fall.
Aside from the interview Fullagar also takes photographs to aid with painting the physical appearance. 
For Fullagar the "Flow" and internal reward of portrait painting is inspiring.