Out of the brainstorming sessions that last year culminated in the creation of the front-of-the-magazine Chronicles section came another decision: to open with an original painting depicting someone in the week's news. In the Spotlight has since become a hallmark feature, thanks in large part to the creativity of assistant art director Ken Smith, who assigns and directs the artists.
While the Spotlight paintings are fully executed portraits, they are usually commissioned on a crash basis. The process begins Wednesday morning, when Smith meets with editors to choose the week's subject, then turns to his Rolodex of 160 artists. He and...
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