For me, commission portrait painting is a great joy of life. While realizing that capturing the likeness of the subject is very important, the challenge for me is to reach deeply into the sitter’s psyche and to bring out the unique God-given spirit of the person, adult, or child. My desire is to bring the viewer into the intimate world of the sitter to be touched for a moment by his or her dreams, visions, and emotions. I believe that telling a timeless story is what portrait painting is really about. The portrait paintings of all the classical painters throughout history continue, to this day, to give us the thrill of being in the paintings, with the subjects, living their lives with them.
Repeatedly, people tell me they see more than a physical likeness in my portraits. One client told me recently, “I feel as though I’m able to see what’s inside; there’s an ethereal quality, as if I’m seeing the real spirit of my daughter.” This kind of response thrills me because as I’m painting, my prayer is for God to enable me to capture the essence of who my subject really is–the soul of the person. I believe that my skills have developed and improved through the years as I have relied more and more on the Creator of all life to energize my work. I have seen thousands of exceptionally painted portraits, and I strongly believe that something must set a painting apart.
Artist’s Biography
After studying art and interior design at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia, I worked for Ferry Hayes Designers, a contract interior design firm in Atlanta, Georgia. Because my true love was for the fine arts, I spent 10 years pursuing an education in classical drawing and painting techniques with Kate Fetterolf, Valori Fussell, and Christopher DiDomizio’s School of Old World Art, all in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a member of the Portrait Society of America. My experience as an interior designer is a great benefit when working with clients and together discovering the painting that will enhance their living environment.
Artist’s Procedure
Initially, you and I will discuss your vision for the portrait–clothing, pose, and where the painting will hang in your home. This meeting can take place by phone or in person.
Next, I will photograph the subject in your home or garden or in my studio. Within 2 weeks several choices of poses and possibilities. When possible, we will meet in person to discuss your choices.
After finalizing your choice of a photographic pose, I will execute the painting from the reference photos. Sometimes a live sitting may be required before completion.
Delivery of your portrait will be approximately 3-6 months from approval of photos.
If you prefer that I paint your portrait from live sittings, as many as 10 2-hour sessions may be required.
