Jessica Rockwell Portraits

1. “Jessica” by Gerry Chromoy

I thought I would tell you a personal story about my wanting to see a hand painted portrait of myself when I grew up, what happened when I did, and the revelation I had. By the way, leave it to a portrait painter to have a half-dozen portraits of herself to talk about….

But first, let me say a few brief points that are special about this art form:

A hand painted portrait, whether painted or drawn, is created by an artist looking at the subject and/or several photos. While doing this, the artist gets to know the person and senses how best to portray their individual beauty and manner. It is a molding together of many, many, many instants of time. In contrast, photos are valued for capturing every slight expression of feature just as it was in one fleeting millisecond. But a hand painted portrait actually represents a much larger segment of time.

My experience receiving hand painted portraits of me done by others

2. JPR at 16 mos.-old painted photo

Since I was young, I wanted a hand painted portrait. I wanted to see how someone else saw me. Growing up, I was glad to have the 11”x14” painted photo that my mother had had done of her little darling baby at 16 months in a christening gown. [See picture #2] It has always made me smile every time I passed it and feel very special and loved. But I wanted something more.

A Disney artist made a caricature drawing that I threw into the first trash can I saw. It was 20 feet away from the point of purchase. Then an artist friend freely colored over a black and white photo of me making a cute exaggeration. I enjoyed looking at it and still [continue reading…]

I always enjoy talking to people who call to inquire about getting a children portrait painting. Recently a man told me that there is something that distinguishes my portraits as being painted by me. He said that he had agreed with his wife. She commented that all my portraits “show realism but with a brightness to them and never anything stoic or forced.” I liked that. It rings true to me.

You Decide on this Children Portrait Painting

Here is a children portrait painting of four young children that you can judge for yourself. I painted it a while back and wanted to share it with you. [continue reading…]

The Reformed Theology Seminary in
Orlando contacted me. They wanted me to make an oil portrait of a man to honor their chief benefactor. Before starting my painting I set out to learn a bit about him. What I found on the internet was an amazing person who doesn’t want the spotlight on himself. But of course he knew the value in a donor’s portrait being on display to serve as an inspiration to others who might also be able to fund a good cause. It must also be rewarding for the institution to be able to show thanks in a visible way. And it is aesthetic!

It’s so hard not to say something about him myself. He’s such a good role model. I think you will agree. I’ll give you just a summary account (to show you how he unknowingly influenced me in the painting of my custom oil portrait). [continue reading…]

I was excited about the idea of creating a religious oil portrait. It was for a surprise retirement present for Rabbi Birnholz. He has been the spiritual leader of the Congregation Schaarai Zedek for the past 30 years.

We went to the temple as photographers, Gerry and Jessica Chromoy. (My husband’s name and my married name for taxes and legal forms). We were given a tour of the large premises so that I could get some ideas of what I might include in my painting. [continue reading…]

The Request for an Homage to “Woman in Gold”

A newly married art collector inquired at my website. He wanted to celebrate and share his elation with a special piece of art. Inspired, he wanted to show his love for his bride in the style of the iconic Abstract Expressionist painting, known as “Woman in Gold,” that Gustav Klimt had created just over a century ago. He told me about the enjoyment he received from his art collection. Included in it were artworks of present-day relatives of historically famous artists. My relation to Norman Rockwell drew him to me. Then he respected my work in its own right. [continue reading…]

When I moved to Clearwater in 1999 I had a wish to make a classic painted portrait of my new city’s mayor (from 1999-2005). That never materialized—until now. 18 years later, his son, Brian Aungst, Jr. contacted me to paint both of his parents!

Having met them at political gatherings as mayor and wife I had an inkling of what a nice portrait I could make. However, it was to be a surprise (which I also love to do). Because of that, we couldn’t photograph them ourselves for my painting references. I had to use scavenged photos from old Christmas cards and family snapshots. That seemed appropriate since it was to be an oil portrait to celebrate their many years together. I wanted to portray them in a timeless way. Youthful, yet wise, so to speak.

When I had finished, Brian Jr. came over to my studio to pick it up. At that time he gave me a wonderful acknowledgment. He said, “I knew it was going to be good, but not this good!”

Then he and his wife presented it to his parents. Afterwards, he called and told me: [continue reading…]

Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) was more than just a very popular painter and illustrator for a good half of the 20^th century. He also accomplished, throughout all of his work, what I think artists (even a portrait painter) are supposed to do. [continue reading…]

Here is a mother and children oil portrait in a short video, fairy-tale style.

As you might imagine, this oil portrait of a mother and her three children has a special story. I want to tell it to you in some detail. You’ll see the mother’s written words (which she graciously allowed me to share):

It began with an email that she wrote me. “I’ve looked through your website and all of your lovely portraits and talent. I don’t know how I started looking but my husband’s 40th birthday is coming up and I wanted to do something special for him. I have photographed our family since my little ones were born. Now my daughter is 7 and my twin boys are 10. Very rarely have I been in any photographs alone or with them.  I thought I would like to pursue this idea of a beautiful posed but editorial-looking moment that has a classic look – not extremely modern – of my children with me for him.  I would love to speak with you about this and talk about different ideas.  It feels strange to put me in the art. Perhaps just the children are better but there really isn’t much of me that exists with them.  I would love to take the second step and speak with you about this portrait.”  [continue reading…]

Twins Oil Portraits are such a happy subject to make a video about. Photography sessions with them are uniquely fun. When you look at the video, you’ll see what I mean. It’s a special thing. No wonder parents love to capture that beautiful shared youth in oil paintings. I’ve had the pleasure to paint at least 11 sets of twins so far. (I keep having the feeling there are more that have been overlooked in the hundreds of custom oil portraits I have painted.) [continue reading…]