Kristy Genco won a silent auction bid for one of my small head-and-collar portrait paintings. She called me with the delightful news. We agreed that her home would be the perfect backdrop for our meeting. This way, I could soak in her style, furnishings, and family photos.
With a soft ping, my inbox frequently spills over with a request for a commissioned handmade portrait. I can never tell if the person reaching out will present a treasure trove of high-quality references or if they’ll challenge me to conjure something wonderful from a single cell phone snapshot. Despite the challenges, however, the creative journey is always rewarding.
Carol reached out to me from another city in Florida with her heartfelt request: a classic oil portrait of her granddaughter. Right away, I suggested we speak over the phone. There’s something about a live conversation that allows the nuances of a commissioned handmade portrait to come to life. It also makes it easier to understand the subject’s unique qualities and to discuss pricing. Carol didn’t hesitate—she called me immediately. Within minutes, we had all the key points worked out.
Jon Sourbeer is a science fiction writer whose parents commissioned me to paint his younger sister many years ago when she was 14. Jon was always out of town, living his adventures and writing his books. Finally, the stars aligned and his parents called me to arrange getting his own original portrait painting done as well.
They all loved the background of Janelle’s portrait—a hand carved mantelpiece that my husband, Gerry, had created. They wondered if we had anything else which might compare. Indeed, we had yet another hand carved mantelpiece. Though not carved by him, there was one thing notable. Gerry caringly “distressed” it, giving it a weathered feeling—like a wise old storyteller etched with years of experience. [continue reading…]
Amid a rush of digital notifications, an email from Brenda Hall in Louisiana arrived in. my inbox, requesting handmade portrait paintings. We arranged a phone call to talk details.
I could see that Brenda had the practicality of an experienced planner as she enlisted me to paint her 3 grandchildren. We quickly worked out the sizes, head and shoulder view, and the price for 3 individual portraits.
1. “Jessica” by Gerry Chromoy
I thought I would tell you a personal story about my wanting to see a hand painted portrait of myself when I grew up, what happened when I did, and the revelation I had. By the way, leave it to a portrait painter to have a half-dozen portraits of herself to talk about….
But first, let me say a few brief points that are special about this art form:
A hand painted portrait, whether painted or drawn, is created by an artist looking at the subject and/or several photos. While doing this, the artist gets to know the person and senses how best to portray their individual beauty and manner. It is a molding together of many, many, many instants of time. In contrast, photos are valued for capturing every slight expression of feature just as it was in one fleeting millisecond. But a hand painted portrait actually represents a much larger segment of time.
My experience receiving hand painted portraits of me done by others
2. JPR at 16 mos.-old painted photo
Since I was young, I wanted a hand painted portrait. I wanted to see how someone else saw me. Growing up, I was glad to have the 11”x14” painted photo that my mother had had done of her little darling baby at 16 months in a christening gown. [See picture #2] It has always made me smile every time I passed it and feel very special and loved. But I wanted something more.
A Disney artist made a caricature drawing that I threw into the first trash can I saw. It was 20 feet away from the point of purchase. Then an artist friend freely colored over a black and white photo of me making a cute exaggeration. I enjoyed looking at it and still [continue reading…]
I always enjoy talking to people who
call to inquire about getting a children portrait painting. Recently a man told me that there is something that distinguishes my portraits as being painted by me. He said that he had agreed with his wife. She commented that all my portraits “show realism but with a brightness to them and never anything stoic or forced.” I liked that. It rings true to me.
You Decide on this Children Portrait Painting
Here is a children portrait painting of four young children that you can judge for yourself. I painted it a while back and wanted to share it with you. [continue reading…]
The Reformed Theology Seminary in 
Orlando contacted me. They wanted me to make an oil portrait of a man to honor their chief benefactor. Before starting my painting I set out to learn a bit about him. What I found on the internet was an amazing person who doesn’t want the spotlight on himself. But of course he knew the value in a donor’s portrait being on display to serve as an inspiration to others who might also be able to fund a good cause. It must also be rewarding for the institution to be able to show thanks in a visible way. And it is aesthetic!
It’s so hard not to say something about him myself. He’s such a good role model. I think you will agree. I’ll give you just a summary account (to show you how he unknowingly influenced me in the painting of my custom oil portrait). [continue reading…]
I was excited about the idea of creating 
a religious oil portrait. It was for a surprise retirement present for Rabbi Birnholz. He has been the spiritual leader of the Congregation Schaarai Zedek for the past 30 years.
We went to the temple as photographers, Gerry and Jessica Chromoy. (My husband’s name and my married name for taxes and legal forms). We were given a tour of the large premises so that I could get some ideas of what I might include in my painting. [continue reading…]
The Request for an Homage to “Woman in Gold”
A newly married art collector inquired at my website. He wanted to celebrate and share his elation with a special piece of art. Inspired, he wanted to show his love for his bride in the style of the iconic Abstract Expressionist painting, known as “Woman in Gold,” that Gustav Klimt had created just over a century ago. He told me about the enjoyment he received from his art collection. Included in it were artworks of present-day relatives of historically famous artists. My relation to Norman Rockwell drew him to me. Then he respected my work in its own right. [continue reading…]
When I moved to Clearwater in 1999 I had a wish 
to make a classic painted portrait of my new city’s mayor (from 1999-2005). That never materialized—until now. 18 years later, his son, Brian Aungst, Jr. contacted me to paint both of his parents!
Having met them at political gatherings as mayor and wife I had an inkling of what a nice portrait I could make. However, it was to be a surprise (which I also love to do). Because of that, we couldn’t photograph them ourselves for my painting references. I had to use scavenged photos from old Christmas cards and family snapshots. That seemed appropriate since it was to be an oil portrait to celebrate their many years together. I wanted to portray them in a timeless way. Youthful, yet wise, so to speak.
When I had finished, Brian Jr. came over to my studio to pick it up. At that time he gave me a wonderful acknowledgment. He said, “I knew it was going to be good, but not this good!”
Then he and his wife presented it to his parents. Afterwards, he called and told me: [continue reading…]
