WASHINGTON, DC.- The Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2006 attracts figurative artists nationwide Beginning today, art lovers across the country will get a glimpse of the lives and work of select emerging and mid-career figurative artists competing in the National Portrait Gallery’s first-ever Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. Named “Portrait of an Artist,” this inventive feature of the competition can be found at www.portraitcompetition.si.edu. The first three artists thus featured are Patrick Duegaw of Wichita, Kan.; Alexandra Martin of New York, N. Y.; and Rachel Schmidt of Takoma Park, Md.

“We have been impressed with the high caliber of entries received so far,” says Marc Pachter, the Gallery’s director. “In the ‘Portrait of an Artist’ phase, it is especially exciting to be able to observe the process of some of the finest artists working in portraiture today.” Pachter adds, up to 10 artists who have entered the competition will be featured on the Web site, and will periodically upload journal entries and images, giving viewers a window to their world.

Alexandra Martin is a sculptor from New York City. “My hope is that ‘Portrait of an Artist’ will help me by making me think more about how and why I do what I do,” says Martin. Her competition entry, “Fist: A Self-Portrait” is a sculpture standing three feet high. As Martin notes in her first posting: “Does this constitute who I am? Is this my essence—a clenched hand? Of course, I also use my hand to make my art, to pet my dog, to caress my grandchildren, to cook my favorite meals, to hold my books. So maybe my hand does represent me.”

Patrick Duegaw says, “I hope this will be a chance to draw more attention to the vibrant artistic community that is currently thriving in Wichita, Kansas.” His entry, “Swimming Through Interiors,” is a portrait of his wife, who is a “beautiful swimmer,” painted on sheetrock partially configured in the shape of a mermaid.

“Portraiture utilizes the suggestive power of the human figure as a language within a language,” says Rachel Schmidt, who grew up in Topeka, Kan., and is now based in Takoma Park, Md. She is “excited to be a part of the ‘Portrait of an Artist’ project; this is an amazing chance to share my ideas and concepts with the art community.” Schmidt’s competition entry is “I Miss Her Most on Football Sundays,” a haunting sculptural tribute to her late grandmother.

The call for entries runs through Sept. 6. Entries are being accepted online at the Gallery’s Web site. The grand prize of $25,000 will include a commission to create a portrait of a remarkable living American for the Gallery’s permanent collection. Other cash prizes will be awarded for selected works. For more information, visit www.portraitcompetition.si.edu.