Portraiture Blog
A Commission as Collaboration
We're Jamin' Once in a while a client allows me to do whatever I want. Of course, what I want is to please my client. I have found the best and only way to please the client is to please myself. But pleasing anyone, including myself, is a funny thing. The truth is...
Expressive Realism
"Looks like a photograph" Many people tell me paintings look like a photograph. While I know this is meant as a compliment, I would like to make the case that my work as painter is far deeper than a mere photograph, with apologies to fine art photographers everywhere....
The Real Deal
What Should you Expect from a Legacy Portrait? Basically, you are looking for an excellent likeness that will capture and express the world of the sitter, both inside and out. You really want an excellent portrait of yourself, your family or the founder of your...
Father’s Day
Losing one's father is a sad moment in anyone's life, no doubt. But it is also a necessary and meaningful milestone. Even as we honor and acknowledge how much our fathers have done for us to make us the individuals we have become, we need to put in perspective the...
Portrait of Monsignor James A. Carter
Called to Greatness out of Necessity I'm very excited to finally be able to share my portrait of Monsignor James A. Carter, created for ECCO of Mount Pleasant. A native of Charleston, James Carter grew up on Broad Street and was ordained as a priest in 1966. He...
PSOAE 2025
Let there be Light! I invite you to find me at the corner of Calhoun and Meeting during the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition in Marian Square, a fabulous festival of great art by top artists in the south. Myself and 52 other great artists will be there in person...
Patrick Duffy Portrait
This past St Patrick's day was the big annual event at the Hibernia Society in Charleston. The Irish centered organization is a society, not a club, and is not affiliated with the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). A National Historic Landmark, the Hibernian Hall was...
The Obstacle Course of my Life
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger I am a survivor of Childhood Sexual Abuse, which deeply impacted my sensibility and sense of self worth. One positive that came out of it was it made me more sensitive to the suffering of others. Believe me, empathy is not...
Falling Leaves
A Grandma's love I'm very excited to show another recent commission. This one from a bunch of photos taken by a proud grandma. In this case, Cheryle gave me many options and said "surprise me." I have found, the more latitude a client provides an artist, the better...
Portrait of Butch
The Posthumous Portrait Challenge Here's an interesting recent commission, from a blurry B&W snapshot taken in the 1970s, evidently on an airplane. Butch passed away last year and his wife of many years decided to have her favorite pic of him made into a painting....
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Thanks to Jeanette of Art & Faith Galleria for finding my portrait of Mother Teresa a good home. If you are in Royal Oak, MI, make it a point to stop in and see the amazing artwork, as well as Jeanette's unique and magnificent collection of icons and rosaries. The work at A&FG is not always overtly religious, but it is always awe-inspiring, reminding us that God is everywhere and in all things. I think this is a time where we are seeking a deeper meaning.
My portrait of Mother Teresa joins my Pope Leo portrait as my most recent art sales. I think God is trying to tell us something. What do you think?
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Check out my pet portrait July special: Get an oil portrait of your pet through the month of July for a special price!
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Barack and I were so honored to have @NjidekaAkunyiliCrosby create our portrait for the Obama Presidential Center. Her artistic brilliance shines through — and the way she infused such life and joy into the piece is truly extraordinary. We love it, and we think everyone who visits the Center will too!
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