The Artists’ Daughter, oil, 20 x 16" (50 x 40 cm)

Eric Johnson

Inspiration
This painting is of my 2-year-old daughter Beatrice. I have always been inspired by the Dutch Golden Age portraits and have studied 17th century materials and working methods extensively. I went so far as to make all of my own pigments in the past before becoming an ambassador for Rublev Colours. My daughter always had a deep soul-piercing gaze, as if you can see the adult in her in a baby body; I was compelled to capture this.

Artistic Path
I desperately wanted to study art as an adolescent but unfortunately did not come from a well-cultured background. I felt the desire to express something greater than myself but did not have the skills. I searched for training, and finally found my calling when I received my first scholarship to ARA Boston. It was not an easy path, and I found myself homeless sleeping in my car for a week before school started, but I couldn’t turn back. Currently, my career focuses on still life and portraits on a commission basis and large-scale allegorical church altarpieces. 

Meg and Mochi, oil, 40 x 30" (101 x 76 cm)

Ellen Cooper

Inspiration
This commissioned piece was the result of a collaborative process of working with Meg and her family, getting to know her and trying to tell a story about the experience. There was a special moment when her parents described Meg and her many interests in such an affirming and caring way. It sounded like a letter, which I embodied in the portrait as the warm embrace of the enveloping chair. I capitalized on the existing natural window light that was inspiring in the way it lit up her mane of hair, her favorite blouse, and one side of her face, quietly suggesting a depth to Meg. Also included are symbols of art and music and her well-loved cat, Mochi. 

Artistic Path
The path to where I am now meandered, but it started with a BFA from Tyler School of Art in the 1970s. I received good instruction in drawing, but they offered very little academic painting training. As a result, I didn’t understand how to move forward and lost interest for years. I had an MFA in scenic design for the theatre but instead had a family and built a decorative painting business. My growing desire to pursue portrait painting eventually led to workshops from portrait painters who I admired. Through some exploratory work with a friend, I crafted my process and strategies in the portrait business, created a few targeted portrait samples and built a small portfolio, resulting in my first commissions. 

Wendy, oil, 50 x 40" (127 x 101 cm)

Mary Qian

Inspiration
Wendy is a commissioned portrait from the University of Chicago. I was fortunate enough to meet Wendy in her house filled with beautiful art, including a very well-done portrait of her at the age of 16. She is an Emerita professor in the Divinity School with a specialty in Hinduism and mythology. The first visit gave me a vivid impression of a loving, expressive woman full of knowledge and wisdom. We decided to depict her in bright colors and a less formal outfit and include the joy of her life, her newly adopted spaniel Raja. After a life painting session with her, I had a better understanding of her personality and essence. The remainder of the painting took place during the pandemic shutdown, adding to the challenge. Wendy remained positive and sent me beautiful photos from her morning walk daily. It was that kind spirit I aimed to capture.  

Artistic Path
I grew up in Shanghai, China, and have always been interested in art. That artistic interest became a drive and following high school, I chose to follow a career path in the United States. At Brigham Young University, I loved animation as much as painting and studied both, but soon realized portrait painting was my calling. The psychology behind each facial expression is what continues to draw me. After moving to Chicago, I joined Palette and Chisel, a 100-year-old art club, which has given me the opportunity to learn from many living masters and work from life models. 

Midwinter Contemplation, oil, 20 x 16" (50 x 40 cm)

Mark Boedges

Inspiration
I paint with a group of folks as part of a three-hour weekly portrait session. The gentleman in this painting came in and sat down and immediately struck this pose with this gaze.  It was a cold day in early February in Northern Vermont…to say it was unpleasant weather that day would be an understatement. His demeanor seemed to echo everyone’s feelings: is it spring yet? The flannel shirt he wore, possibly the official state shirt of Vermont mind you, only further suggested to me the cold, rural place where we all lived. I set up two more sessions with him, and I was able to complete this painting from life over that time.

Artistic Path
I have always been interested in art but didn’t get serious about my studies until after graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in Philosophy. I got a job and realized that was not what I wanted. When I moved to Colorado, I went back to school to study art and later painted with Richard Schmid for two years as a member of the Putney Painters. Although he wasn’t formally teaching or mentoring at that point, I soaked up all the advice and critiques he offered. On a plein air event circuit, I won several major regional and national awards. I often joke that while painting is now an all-consuming passion, it didn’t necessarily start that way. It was initially a way to be outside with a purpose and not have a “real” full-time job.—