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TRADITIONAL OIL PORTRAITS
by Maria J. Smith - since 1958 Classical & Contemporary Realism in Fine Art Portraiture |
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Born in the Netherlands, Maria J. Smith has painted commissioned oil portraits since 1958. She is the founder of "The Artist's Atelier", an art school where serious art students and aspiring professionals can obtain training in the authentic 19th Century Atelier Training Program as practiced in the famous ateliers of 19th century Paris, France. Maria's work hangs in private collections in Europe, Australia, Mexico, England, Canada, and throughout the United States. |
Maria J. Smith paints portraits of people, pets, and special places. Such a portrait, if intended as a gift, is unquestionably the most sensitive and elegant expression of your love for that important person in your life. A Portrait in Oil by Maria J. Smith is not only a valuable museum quality piece of Art in its own right, it is also the most beautiful way to create a lasting legacy. Truly, few things provide more enjoyment and have more longevity than fine art! |
Portrait of Patricia Harder, Commissioner Idaho Commission on the Arts 20x16 Oil on Canvas This portrait was painted using a Dutch Old Master method, beginning with a complete underpainting in tones of grey, followed by layers of transparent color. It creates a museum quality work of art. This difficult and time-consuming method, when expertly executed, creates great depth and luminosity in the piece that cannot be achieved in any other way. |
Portrait of Preston Bell 20x16 Oil on Canvas This portrait was also painted in the Dutch Old Master method, but with a more contemporary approach with respect to pose, clothing and color. The style is Classical Realism. This is an example of a three-quarter length, and less formal, portrait. The painting has the same depth, richness of color, and luminosity as the portrait of Patricia Harder. |
Dream of Tuscany (Daisi Hanchey) 30x24 Oil on Canvas Daisi loves everything that has to do with Tuscany. She has a dreamy quality to her personality, which led to the concept for her portrait. This romantic painting, although contemporary in style, was also done in the Dutch Old Master method, resulting in the same museum quality and overall beautiful effect evident in the work of Old Masters. It is an example of a full length portrait with a background. |
Portrait of Nicole Bulcher 16x12 Oil on Canvas Nicole has traveled to Italy to see the art created by Michael Angelo and other great Renaissance Masters. She returned home with a new-found respect and admiration for classical painting. She was a great subject for a head and shoulders portrait in the classical style. This painting was not painted using the Old Master method, however. It was done "alla prima", or painted directly, without the grisaille (grey) underpainting and glazing techniques employed in the other portraits. |
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Maria paints portraits from suitable photographs and/or from life. However, if possible, she prefers to have the subject sit for her at The Artist's Atelier in Twin Falls, Idaho. The portraits are painted on archival artist's stretched canvas and may be enjoyed for many generations, and your satisfaction is always guaranteed! These heirloom, museum quality portraits range from a simple head and shoulders or three-quarter length portrait (including hands, if desired) to a full-length portrait, with or without a background. Sizes range from 14x11 (suitable for head and shoulder portraits of children) through 20x16, 24x20, 30x24 and 36x24 or larger. Maria's style is always realistic and life-like. You may choose a classical or traditional portrait, or a more contemporary one - it can be a formal portrait or a casual one, whichever you prefer. PEOPLE PORTRAITS. Prices range from $398 (14x11 head and shoulders) to $1698 for a full-length portrait on a 30x24 or 36x24 canvas without a background (similar to Dream of Tuscany, but with "plain" background). These prices are for an "alla prima" portrait of a single subject on one canvas that does not require unusually complex treatment or details. PET PORTRAITS. Maria also paints high quality portraits of pets in the same manner and styles described above. Pet portrait sizes range from 10x8 for smaller pets to 30/36x24 for large animals. Prices range from $125 (head and shoulders for a small pet on a 10x8 inch canvas) to $895 for a 30/36x24 whole body portrait of a single large animal without a background (alla prima method). PORTRAITS OF PLACES. Portraits of your favorite places are priced by size - the same prices as those quoted for "Whole Body Pet Portraits". A background on a portrait is additional and price is based on the level of complexity involved. The Old Master method is extra due the exacting and time-consuming nature of the technique. Please ask for a price quote. It can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 3 months or more to complete an oil portrait, depending on size, the level of detail, complexity, and whether the painting method is "alla prima" or Old Master technique. Maria paints high quality portraits of pets, and places, in the same manner and styles described above. You may request a free brochure with photos of Maria's portraits of people and pets, with no obligation whatsoever. You may contact the artist by phone, letter or email (see below). For more detailed information on the artist (such as biography, artist's statement and resume) and to see a larger selection of her work, please visit her other website by clicking on this link: www.artbymariajsmith.com ____________________________________________________________ Maria says: "I would like to thank you for your time and interest in my museum quality portraits and I invite you contact me by phone, email or letter. I am asking you for your comments and thoughts - please take a moment and let me hear from you. I will be happy to personally discuss with you the ideas you may have regarding a portrait in oil. As always, your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed and it is my policy to do the utmost to please you, so that you may own a beautiful museum quality portrait of that person, pet, or place that is very special to you. You can enjoy such a portrait in your own home or the home of a loved one, and it will be appreciated by many, many generations." There is nothing more meaningful painted with great care, sensitivity and than such a Fine Art Portrait, mastery of the enduring, classical medium of oil in the tradition of the Masters. Thank you for visiting - Please contact Maria now Maria J. Smith, Portrait Artist The Artist's Atelier 1300 Kimberly Road, Suite 17 Twin Falls, ID 83301 Tel. (208) 734-3328 Email: artbymariajsmith@hotmail.com |
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