COMMISSIONS
I have been taking commissions since my earliest days as a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Over the years, I have completed several portraits for patrons across the US and abroad. I am proud to be a member of the Portrait Society of America. Now, as a graduate student at the Florence Academy of Art, my work has reached an even higher level of skill and execution.
I first became interested in portraits as a child and used to draw my family members. I enjoyed capturing the likeness of the person and found it to be an exciting challenge. To me, it was like magic that some pencil on paper could capture someone's spirit. I started painting as a teenager and my interest in portraiture grew stronger. My focus is on traditional portraits that reflect the appearance and personality of the sitter. I enjoy painting people, groups, pets, animals and many other subjects. Commissions are currently OPEN - For pricing and more information, please send me a message through the form on the right. Please scroll down to read about my process and to see commission examples. |
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PROCESS Receiving a commission is a great honor and I enjoy the entire process from start to finish. Working together with a patron or group to create a painting that they will enjoy for a lifetime is really a collaborative effort. I really enjoy getting to know the sitter and to have them be a part of the creation process.
The commission process is always exciting and I like to begin by getting to know the sitter through conversation. Doing sketches while we talk is a great way to begin. As an academically trained artist, I also complete a preliminary oil study to understand the composition, colors and values. I enjoy sharing each step with the patron(s). Painting the final portrait is always an individualized pursuit and I believe no two paintings can be painted in the same manner. In order for the painting to be successful it must go beyond a direct likeness; a successful portrait must also feel like the sitter in terms of spirit and personality. I don't have a direct formula for this since it's something that is ineffable. I pride myself on my craftsmanship as well; I make all my canvases myself and use the highest quality materials to deliver a painting that will last several lifetimes. I use a conservation grade final varnish, which I prefer to apply myself in order to better control the end result. As a brand ambassador with Natural Pigments, this is very important to me. Thank you for your time in reviewing this information. |