GWEN E. HARPER
A gift of a portrait of your, for your...
Partner * Parent * Sibling * Child * Grandparent * Best Friend * Loved One * Self
Frida Kahlo
"I leave you my portrait so that you will have my presence all the days and nights that I am away from you."
CUSTOM PORTRAITURE
FROM PHOTO TO FINE ART
I've always been a people watcher. I can get lost in the study of a face. I'm a true empath who unconsciously mimics those with whom I'm engaged. Portraiture, the study of the face and all that it reveals beyond its physical plane is the ultimate artistic expression for me. It feels like the start of a relationship - discovering the essence of a person and becoming completely enamored of all that they are.
THE PROCESS
I ask for a few clear images and discuss which would really be best to use for most successful results. I prefer images to be sent electronically whenever available. Color images and head shots where eyes are clearly seen usually result in most beloved paintings. As they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul! I prefer to render a clean background in white, black or color to keep the focus on the subject, but if a scenic background is preferred, the option can be discussed.
Once we agree upon a photo source, I'll require a non refundable deposit as stated in sample product listings. The process of pre-sketching, planning and execution of final piece may take as long as a month or more depending on size, medium and commission workload. I share my work during the process so that you have a sense of how I'm interpreting your subject, and with a reply of affirmation, I'll continue to completion and request the balance of payment before shipping.
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We can begin with an email or clicking on one of the sample product listings below. We'll continue with discussions of photos you are considering turning into a painting then the work can begin!
PRICE LIST
GRAPHITE OR CHARCOAL DRAWINGS:
On artist's dry media paper in simple white matte. The composition is of one subject alone and no background suggestion at all
• 9x12 window single matte to 12x16 outside measurement: $500.00
SOFT PASTEL PAINTING:
On artist's dry media paper in simple white matte. The composition is subject only, and often without any background at all.
• 6x8 window matted to 8x10 outside measurement: $400.00
• 9x12 window matted to 12x16 outside measurement: $600.00
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Pricing for larger sizes and multiple subjects available upon request.
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WATERCOLOR OR ACRYLIC PAINTINGS:
Priced by size and composition upon request.
Abraham Lincoln
"I care not for a man's religion whose dog and cat are not better for it"
CUSTOM PET PORTRAITS
FROM PHOTO TO FINE ART
I’ve never met a pet I didn't like. I’m the one greeting your dog on the street. If you’ll indulge me, I’ll have a full blown conversation with your fur baby, and may become so engrossed I'll forget there is a human at the other end of that leash. As far as I’m concerned, no home is complete without a pet. It’s the reason I have a special affinity for animal portraiture.
PRICE LIST
GRAPHITE OR CHARCOAL DRAWINGS:
On artist's dry media paper in simple white matte. The composition is of one subject alone and no background suggestion at all
• 9x12 window single matte to 12x16 outside measurement: $450.00
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INK DRAWINGS:
On 140 lbs cold press paper in simple white matte. The composition is of one subject alone and no background suggestion at all
• 9x12 window single matte to 12x16 outside measurement: $550.00
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SOFT PASTEL PAINTING:
On textured pastel paper in simple white matte. The composition is subject only, and often without any background at all.
• 9x12 window matted to 12x16 outside measurement: $550.00
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ACRYLIC PAINTINGS:
On stretched, gallery wrapped, deep profile canvas - with hardware applied ready to hang. Image wrap or contrast color edge as per request. If framing is planned, traditional frame depth of <1 inch available in all quoted sizes.
• 11x14 or 12x12: $750.00
• 16x20: $1,000.00
THE PROCESS
I ask for a few clear images and discuss which would really be best to use for most successful results. I prefer images to be sent electronically whenever available. Color images and head shots where eyes are clearly seen usually result in most beloved paintings. As they say, the eyes are the windows to the soul! I prefer to render a clean background in white, black or color to keep the focus on the subject, but if a scenic background is preferred, the option can be discussed.
Once we agree upon a photo source, I'll require a non refundable deposit as stated in sample product listings. The process of pre-sketching, planning and execution of final piece may take as long as a month or more depending on size, medium and commission workload. I share my work during the process so that you have a sense of how I'm interpreting your subject, and with a reply of affirmation, I'll continue to completion and request the balance of payment before shipping.
​
We can begin with an email or clicking on one of the sample product listings below. We'll continue with discussions of photos you are considering turning into a painting then the work can begin!
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George Bernard Shaw
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
MY STORY
Life with a Brush and a Bea
In 2015, I picked up a paint brush for the first time since childhood After creating one too many excel pivot tables as a VP of Sales in fashion, I had had it! The kid voted Most Artistic in high school ended up studying philosophy at Colgate University and then spent her adult career on the the periphery of design selling beautiful products others were creating.
How did that happen? I’m a creative. I’m a visual artist, performer and writer. When some of my sales team gushed that I was “so good with the numbers, so analytical,” I craned my neck around the room searching for the person they were describing. Me? It was in that moment I realized I needed to get back to my identity. I went home that night, dug deep in a closet to find brushes and paint I had been threatening to use for years and I did a quick paint sketch of (what else?) my dog. It felt good!
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And, it wasn’t bad…In fact, I surprised myself not being as rusty as I anticipated. That painting lead to another, a drawing or two, and another painting - mostly of my dog or other family pets with a human or two thrown in for good measure. I got the courage to post my work on social media, and with the first incredulous questions of, "Who did that?!" from friends, I started fielding some questions of, “Will you take a commission? Will you paint my dog?” And, so, it began... With my Pomeranian Beatrix as my muse and my eyes exploring more than Excel sheets today, I have since made art creation a priority in my life. Happily, I now follow my once forgotten passion and welcome the opportunity to share it with you.
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As I have found my way back to my passion, it's clearly not without the encouragement of friends and art lovers with whom I connect Please take a look and see if something strikes you from the custom structures or any images found in gallery scrolls of selected past works. Come back every so often to see what's new. I'll be adding some collections as I am inspired and time permits around commissions and my 9 to 5 job. While much of my creative time is dedicated to the portraiture I offer, I welcome ideas with which you’d like me to experiment. Let's collaborate and make it just ours.
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Find my work on social media with the hashtag #abrushandabea!