Preserve Memories Forever: The Importance of Family Portraits

Capturing loved ones for future generations.

Family portraits are a timeless tradition that captures the essence of a family and preserves it for future generations. Having a family portrait painted is a way to freeze a moment in time and remember it forever. It captures the personalities, relationships, and emotions of the family members and creates a lasting legacy. Family portraits can be passed down from one generation to the next, allowing future generations to see and appreciate the people who came before them.

Honoring Tradition: The Significance of Institutional Portraits

Recognizing and preserving history.

Institutional portraits are a way to recognize and preserve the history of a organization or institution. They honor the achievements and contributions of past leaders and members and serve as a reminder of the organization's rich heritage. They are often hung in prominent places, such as boardrooms or hallways, to be seen by members, guests, and visitors. These portraits are often commissioned to be painted by a professional artist, which adds a level of prestige and gives the institution a sense of tradition. Institutional portraits can also serve as a source of inspiration for current and future members, reminding them of the organization's mission and values

Creating a Professional Image: The Benefits of Corporate Portraits

The Confident Portrait Owner

Accomplished, driven individuals who appreciate luxury and craftsmanship.

Owning a portrait is a sign of success and achievement. It's no surprise, then, that those who own a portrait tend to possess certain personality traits that set them apart from others.

First and foremost, portrait owners are confident individuals. They exude self-assurance and are comfortable in their own skin. They are not afraid to stand out from the crowd and make bold choices. They are also unafraid to make a statement with their artwork, and know that a portrait is more than just a picture - it's a symbol of their status and success.

In addition to confidence, portrait owners also value luxury. They appreciate the finer things in life and are not afraid to invest in quality. They understand that a portrait is more than just a likeness - it's a work of art and a statement piece. They take great pride in owning one, and know that it is a true investment.

Finally, portrait owners appreciate beauty. They are detail-oriented individuals who value art and aesthetic in all aspects of their lives. They know that a portrait is known for its craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into creating each work of art.

These individuals are self-assured and appreciate the finer things in life.

The Procedure

A portrait is a celebration, of love, of life, or of achievement. To own a portrait is to acknowledge that the subject matters to those who care for them, whether in a family context or in business. I accommodate families, corporations, and institutions wishing to honor individual legacies with fine art portraits. The process is clear and all the details are taken care of, ensuring a seamless and successful portrait commission experience.

Meeting with people in their own environments, their homes or offices, gives the subject a setting that best tells their story, though I am happy to use a more simple, abstract, background where this lets the sitter's own presence speak for itself. Working in the subject's own environment often involves travel - across North America, Africa, Asia  and  Europe. I always allow time before an initial sitting to meet the patron and get to know them a little and develop a sense of how they see themselves and what we are trying to achieve in the portrait.  If I am traveling to fulfill a commission I always allow for at least two full days at the location.

Any portrait is a dialogue between artist and sitter, a true collaboration, so each of us lays out our ideas and develops a concept together. At this point we discuss costume, setting, possible background  and props to include, pose and lighting. A photographic shoot then gives us a chance to work with options, try different approaches and narrow our focus to the concept that is emerging as strongest.

It is often the case with today's hectic schedules, or where travel is involved and a long stay is not practical, I am going to be working entirely from my photographs, I will take these back to the studio and make a small compositional study or sketch for approval. I sometimes offer a choice of two concepts in sketch form, if more than one possibility suggests itself.  Any major changes to the composition can be made at this point. Once the sketch is agreed, both client and artist know where the picture is going and there should be no surprises at the end!