Portrait Artist & Illustrator
NATURALLY DRAWN TO PERSONALITY
Throughout the portrait process, I really enjoy getting to know my clients and the loved ones I'm commissioned to draw. I find knowing the fine points of my subject helps fully capture their spirit on the canvas. It's hard not to feel connected to the people I'm drawing and I believe that's the secret to real portrait art: revealing personality through highlighting details. My portraits tell a story about you and your family, and will in turn become a treasured memento in your history.
Professionally, I have been providing individuals and families with quality art, illustration, and portraiture for almost a decade. All of my fine art portraits are primarily created in graphite using methods I have refined for over twenty years. By layering the medium and highlighting unique details we all possess in our faces, I can create depth and personality that shine in the finished piece.
Preliminary sketches: BEGINNINGS
Often I am asked when I began my artistic journey, and naturally the answer is, “as long ago as I can remember”. My parents both enjoyed careers in the arts through painting and writing, and there’s no doubt my creative genes were passed along through them. Growing up, I knew fine art would be a major part of my life. Drawing, specifically, was my favourite thing because it didn't require too much in the way of materials and set-up. I could draw anywhere and be as creative as I wanted to be and I liked that. By eleven, I had figured out how to draw realistically by using magazine editorial photos as reference - in fact, there's a pretty sweet Jon Bon Jovi circa '93 portrait hiding somewhere in one of my adolescent sketchbooks! I was always challenging my visual abilities and growing as an artist throughout my early years. Each completed work brought a noticeable improvement in my artistic skill, and I was constantly working to move forward.
I studied at both the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) and George Brown College in Toronto, Canada. In addition to my years of formal training, I have spent most of my life in independent study of my craft. Through this combined experience, I have created a unique illustrative style that is consistent throughout my portfolio. I firmly believe that learning is a lifelong endeavour and will always seek to hone my skills. I'm always striving to achieve the sharpest detail, and my fixation on capturing the nuances of life has kept me passionate about producing the best art possible for my clients.
Memorial Portraits
Family Portraits
Glamour Portraits
Family Pet Tributes