“The cardboard pizza box has a status in American culture at least equal to that of the soup can. Andy Warhol did not silk-screen them, but a Philadelphia artist named Ed Marion painted a series of portraits on them, “right where the pie would sit,” as he explained.”
portrait commissions
Painting faces is endlessly exciting to me. Not only do I get to be witness to the beauty in the person before me, but quite often the portrait work I am doing turns into a family heirloom which will last for generations to come.
Here’s what I think and feel about making portrait paintings — it’s my act of witness. It’s a selfish endeavor in which I, the painter, engage with you, the sitter, face-to-face to put down on canvas the person I see before me.
I’m not into making perfect likenesses and I can’t guarantee it will look exactly the way you see you, but it will definitely be my best effort of what I see in you in the time we spend together. I can also guarantee you that the portrait painting I do of you today will be different than the one I do of you tomorrow, as my goal is to get down what I see in the moment.
As an example, I’ve drawn and painted myself more than 100 times over 40 years. Check out my renderings of me and see how different (and similar) they are. Here’s another group of portraits I did a few years back as part of a pizza box portrait project (featured in The Philadelphia Inquirer). If you like my style, then maybe I’m the portrait painter for you.
While I illustrate from photos, I don’t generally paint from them, which means I sit with you or your loved one, and paint you, face-to-face. I’ll paint anyone (or group) who can sit comfortably and enjoy a conversation, either at your home, office or anywhere you are most comfortable.
To talk about or schedule a portrait commission, just click here.
Portrait commissions start at $3,000 + tax. Travel and accommodations beyond a 30-mile radius of Philadelphia incur additional costs.