portrait pricing

This might be a funny way to discuss pricing of my work but I'd like to begin by telling you why I got into this business.

For years, I've been a successful attorney and have most recently run a New York City law practice from my home in Ithaca, New York, a short 250 miles away from the clients I've served.  On March 17, 2008, I retired from that practice to commit full-time to painting portraits.

About a year ago, I watched a BBC production about British portrait painting.  The thing which struck me about the show was the interaction between the portrait artist and the portrait subject, almost like a dance or a conversation.  That being said, that is what I enjoy most about my newfound profession -- getting to know you, and in turn, turning out an image (or series of images) that reflects you -- the portrait subject -- in ways that perhaps no other artist can capture.

If you've reviewed my work online, you'll see that I enjoy painting lives in action.  One of my favorite portraits is the triple self-portrait of myself.  To execute this, I turned on the camcorder on my computer and shot about 100 photos of myself singing along with Bruce Springsteen singing the Seeger Sessions.  I tell you this to let you know about my workstyle.

I want to paint portraits that not only look like you but capture you doing the things most portrait artists wouldn't consider.  In other words, your portrait won't turn out looking like another dead president.  It might, however, turn out looking like a photo shoot from the Sunday New York Times magazine.

So what do I charge for my service?  It really depends.  I use acrylic paints and I work from photos and like to take the photos myself while I talk to you.  I'm open to having photos sent to me via e-mail and I'll be candid with you about how excited I am about making a painting from the photos you provide.

I charge extra for travel and I charge sales tax.  I know, go figure.

Ballpark figures: $600 for a 12" x 12" portrait, $2,500 for a 30" x 30" portrait, etc.  Additional figures, panels and sizing are optional and negotiable.

Why the prices last?  Because you're not in the market for a bargain, you're in the market for a beautiful work of art and I want to assure you that you've come to the right place.