Body Portaits: Paying Homage to your Life's Journey
Honor Your Physical Vessel
Rarely in a lifetime does one have the opportunity to have an artist's undivided attention. As an accomplished artist with a passion for working from life combined with a deep reverence for the diversity of human form, I can provide you this opening of empowerment. Commissioning a body portrait alone or with a partner is unique way of paying homage to the wonder you are or your relationship. What better way to affirm your acceptance and love? Perfect in your imperfections, a body portrait is a totally human testament of your present for tomorrow. Body portraits are stunning and alter how participants see themselves when viewed through the artistic process and eyes as an artist whose philosophy is that everybody is a miracle and awe-inspiring creation of Life.
The process
In my studio, your home or a site of your choice, together we will create an environment that addresses your needs, concerns and safety. During consultation, you will have the opportunity to explore your desires and set a theme that reflects who you are using your own personal items as props. For the more adventuresome, together we can create your fantasy to be recorded in pencil, charcoal, pastel, acrylic or oil paint on a number of different substrates. The process is very fluid at this point, and changes and additions are encouraged. I will then proceed set up the space/environment to your wishes and have you go through a number of different poses from which I do quick drawings and record in digital stills. After a break, we will set down and review the accumulated work or make more drawings or photos as needed to ensure that you are pleased with your choice.
After another break, you will go into your pose taking rests times as needed. The consultation, set up, and review of drawings/files can take up to three hours. You will be posing for up to three hours depending upon breaks or changes required.
Afterwards, I will keep you up to date with jpegs and emails as the work the progresses. When the painting approaches it's finished state, I will contact you to come in for the final session. During this time, any small aterations can be made at no charge. Major changes such as additional items, large color changes, or others that require further long term work on the painting will be charged for.
Due to your investment of time and money into your body portrait, I strongly recommend that you have your finished piece suitably framed. Depending upon the size of your work, I can quote you're a price and frame it for you, or refer you to several reputable area framers. I also offer a hanging service if you would prefer not to hang the art yourself.
How much time does it take?
Excluding the initial consultation over the phone, your first consultation, set up and review can take up to three hours. The actual posing depending upon changes and breaks can last up to three hours for one person. Each additional member will require more time.
Pricing
Initial consultation, over the phone, in writing over via the internet is free.
For a simple composition using a few props, set up, consultation, sketches, digital photos and review and first sitting start at $750.00 (each additional person is $450) rendered in charcoal or pencil on archival 18 x 24" paper.
For a pastel painting the prices start at $1,000 on an 18 x 24" sheet of archival pastel board or paper. Additional setters are $750. Acrylic Paintings start at $1,500 on an 18 x 24" gallery wrapped linen canvas with a charge of $1,200 for each additional person.Oil Paintings start at $2,000 with a charge of $1,700 for each additional person.
To commence the project a 50% deposit is required and at the final setting with your approval of finished work, the remainder is due. I accept cash, cashier checks and most major credit cards. Payment in full is greatly appreciated, but in today's market, at times we must be flexible, please inquire about a payment plan if this would be of assistance to you.
Travel and On Site work
For an additional fee, I can travel come to your home or a site of your choice.
Privacy
Your comfort, safety and privacy is my highest priority- outside of creating a work that reflects who you are in tone, gesture and setting. The digital photographs will be used in reference for your work only. If for some reason I would like to use them on my web site or in advertising materials for example, I will only do so with your expressed consent in writing.
Ownership of Copy Right
The sketches from the setting and the finished art I retain all reproduction rights to and will bear my copyright. A certificate of authenticity will be provided with your work and the sketches made available to you for a nominal fee. If you wish to display the work in a public venue or any other instance where the painting can be photographed or reproduced, please contact me for written permission.
How do I get started?
If you have any questions regarding the process, pricing or would like to schedule a consultation, please contact me and I will contact you soon as possible. After the initial consultation and before commencing with the setting consutation, I will provide a contract outling the agreements reached for the sitting and completing of the finished work.
References
Due to the intimate nature of some of these portaits and a respect for my clients privacy, I do not show their work on this web site, but can furnish you letters that address their experience. I have included an example of several commissions or work from sitters who have given me permission to use their work as examples here.