Some portrait commissions are like a walk in the park.
Judi Paul was a delight to meet and paint. She has such a gracious and welcoming countenance. Her signature red glasses and matching red lipstick just asked for more red.

I felt the turn of the pose helped capture her vitality and charm.
 
Thank you, Ruth Reeves at Portraits Inc, for this fun commission.

The whole process was a joy.

Charcoal drawings have their own quiet charm.
With this one, the client asked for some color in the background. Always pleased when the client and the subject are both happy. 
​
Thank you, Lenox Meythaler at Portrait Associates, for 
introducing me to this delightful Huntsville family. 

The art is 20x16 and the 24K gold frame is from the
amazingly talented Phil Olson, at Mayen-Olson Frames.

Evie was a patient and delightful child.
She showed me all around her home and garden.

I asked her to step close to the flowers and we
created this moment.

​She was so fun to paint.

Everett was a wonderful subject. He was comfortable and fun. We talked back and forth about my camera, his school and how I made portraits. They should all be so easy.

When I met with General Powell in his office to deliver his personal portrait it was December of 1999 and the Presidential election was still not final due to the "hanging chads" controversy in Florida. As we were talking his secretary stepped into the doorway to say Al Gore had conceded the election, this meant General Powell would be President George Bush's Secretary of State. General Powell graciously continued our conversation as people lined up in the hallway to congratulate him.

I will always remember him as one of the kindest and most generous men that I was fortunate to paint.

-Bart

When Mr. and Mrs. Young reached a milestone anniversary, they wanted to celebrate their love for each other with their family and posterity.

What better way than to create a painting to reach across generations.

A Valentine to share for now and for the years to come.

-Bart

When I asked Molly to pose for her portrait she struck a natural pose with her hand near her chin. Later I noticed a painting of Molly in her home with the same pose, she was six years old in this painting by Tom Donahue. I could not resist putting the Donahue portrait in the background of my painting, Tom was a friend of mine who passed seven years ago. It was my small tribute to Tom and perhaps the power of our genes.

Happy Holidays!

-Bart