Note
Inscribed at the bottom of the sheet “for my wife with love on Christmas, 1972”, this portrait was quite possibly drawn from life. Executed in a loose, expressive style, it captures the essence of Verostko’s wife, primarily focusing on her face. At first glance, this seems to be an ordinary, naturalistic rendering. Looking closer at the highlights and shadows in Alice’s face and hair, unnatural tones of blue and orange reveal themselves.
Verostko married Alice Wagstaff, Ph.D., in 1968, when she was serving as Chair of the Department of Psychology at Duquesne University. After the couple relocated to Minneapolis, she served on the faculty of the University of Minnesota from 1968-1970; as Senior Clinical Psychologist at Ramsey County Mental Health Clinic from 1971-1989; led graduate seminars from 1988-1994 at the Minnesota School for Professional Psychology; and was in private practice until 2003.