A Different Kind of Portrait

Why are all portraits so...stiff? They look like the person is made out of cardboard, don't they? Well not here! Strike a pose that is absolutely you and let me emphasis what makes you, YOU!

A little about portraits and lot about the portraiture world

There is a difference between photo realism and artistic realism. Photos are frozen moments and can often appear to be flat while an artist will pick and choose the importance of that person. While most artists have a style they work in I like to be a bit more flexible, I consider myself panstylistic and yep, that's a new word of my own warped making (Greek: pan=many styl=style). I paint the person's mood and emotion and if that gets expressed by impressionism or surrealism or classical means then so be it. I'll always talk with you about what's your flavor and flare of style.

Paintings vs Photographs

Paintings take about 450 years for oil paint to dry completely, that is why today the Renaissance paintings look as 'fresh' as when they were painted. My paintings are dry to the touch and three times varnished so no worries of wet paint on your pooch. A photograph starts to immediately deteriorate upon being taken, and will visibly fades in just 30 - 50 years time.

Why is a picture so expensive?

You usually only get an oil painting "portrait" once in your life and oftentimes it survives for generations.
It's a big deal and not one to go to the bargain bin with. Now most people ask why it's so expensive, here's a bit of a breakdown:

I refuse to use sub-par materials, I buy Belgian linen that is oil-washed with a synthetic rabbit skin glue base as opposed to the widely used gesso. Why? Gesso is acrylic, acrylic is plastic, plastic absorbs the light so when you look at a painting that has a gesso ground (a primer, background) the light gets absorbed into the painting and the painting is flat. Whereas on oil-based primer, the background will act as a mirror and reflect the light back giving the painting a glow and life all of it's own. This makes for a very expensive canvas right off the bat, usually $300 to a standard $75, but it's worth every cent, my paintings breath.

Another area of cost is Gamblin oils, mediums and their varnish which was professionally made for the National Gallery of Art. These have such amazing color and staying power. They are well worth the cost. I also use real gold, silver and copper leaf in my paintings if the image warrants it. I love the reflective quality. I never leave full sheets exposed, they are blended seamlessly into the painting.

Then of course there is the 120+ hours for most paintings. By the time I break down my hours and take out the materials and shipping costs I make about $20 an hour. Yep, I am not robbing you blind here, I'm just trying to make an honest living while providing quality materials and beautiful art.

And a lil something about me

I actually started classical oil painting at 7, seriously 7 years old. Much later I went to the Academy of Art University in San Francisco Ca. Afterwards Mr. David Hardy from the Atelier School of Classical Realism in Temescal Ca. offered me a full 3 year scholarship which I jumped at. 8 years later I was feeling pretty well educated. I was told when I went into art school that I could paint the spirit but I couldn't paint the flesh so I focused on learning everything about anatomy so that the spirit would have it's vehicle. Universities and Ateliers are just one way to learn, but again it is not the only way.

What I noticed though was this strange elitist arrogance, not from the Atelier, but from the Universities and "other institutions." Let me be absolutely clear here, you do not need an education to do art, nor does the artist need an education to do your portrait, do not let that hinder you, if you are moved by someones work and you are hesitant because they don't have the "right credentials" let me tell you this right now from someone who is technically "well educated," I've seen artists self taught that have blown "professionals" with every letter by their name out of the water, always follow your heart when choosing a portrait artist.

I do not use projectors, I don't even do the standard grid system, I find that stifling, I will work on the drawing for 12+ hours in the larger drawings to get it absolutely accurate. I work from photos, now some artists have said all manner of rather "interesting" things about this. Why do I work with photos?

• because who has time to sit for 120+ hours*

• I don't do stiff portraits but animated and unique perspective paintings that would be impossible to hold for that long

• I live in Hawai`i, it's not exactly around the corner for most people

Now you are more than welcome to fly out to Hawai`i and sit/stand for the 120+ hours, I will not stop you, I am more than able and quite happy to paint from life.

*I work slow, in layers and over time, I do not paint wet into wet except for the impression paintings. Why again: we are not lumps of clay, we are intricate and beautiful layers of all shades and hues and I honor the translucent glow of the skin and the soul. I like taking my time with each painting and getting to know the person, this isn't an assembly line, I only paint a handful of paintings a year so I can put the care into them they all deserve.

Impression