OVERVIEW
HD American Portraits connects the high definition art world with everyday Americans to celebrate not only the creative spirit, but the human spirit. Using hi-def cameras and ground breaking technology, artists from renowned establishments such as the San Francisco Art Institute, will meet up with Americans across the country to digitally paint their portrait.

The intention of the project is to emphasize that when we connect with new and different people, we broaden our horizons, learn from each other and see things we might not have otherwise seen. HD American Portraits will show that no matter how ordinary, we are all extraordinary.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
The Blending of Two Creative Minds-Destination: Planet X

Words from co-collaborator Tom Sebastian (Senior Vice President of Creative Services for PRN, a San Francisco based advertising and media company)

"I was on my way to work one day on the bus. I read an article in the paper about how Christopher Coppola and his partners had donated a high definition television lab to the San Francisco Institute of art. Christopher’s objective was to see how artists would use a new medium. I looked at all the people riding the bus. This part of their day was meant to be predictable. They read newspapers and sipped coffee in stainless steel cups. I wondered what would happen if they looked at art instead of the paper. I wondered what would happen if the artists at the San Francisco Institute of art could make something with their new medium and show it in places it had never been. I sent Christopher a note and asked, ‘What do you think about showing art in Wal-Mart?’

Creativity is an unpredictable journey to a place I call Planet X. Christopher sent me a note back and said, ‘I’ll meet you on Planet X.’ Planet X, for those who may be wondering, is a place where tomorrow is today. Together, we are bringing art to Wal-Mart. Creativity is people asking you a question when you know they’ve heard you: "You’re doing what?"