sandy garnett art

ARTIST STATEMENT

I have been a professional painter and sculptor since graduation from St. Lawrence University.  I paint commissioned portraiture and sell my contemporary art in New York City to make my living.

I am well versed in family portraits, official portraits, portraits of houses, boats, pets, horses and landscapes. I have delivered oil, acrylic, ink, pencil, pastel and watercolor commissions to my clients.  Like most portraitists today, I paint mainly from photographic references.  I work from photographs that a family has taken or will take photographs of my subjects whenever necessary. Working from family photographs is much easier on the children and allows me to honor surprise gifts and commissions of family members or officials who have died or are unavailable to meet with.

Having given photography its due, I always prefer to look at a good portrait painting as every inch of canvas must be expressed in different states of an artist’s mind. Photography is the capture of a single moment, an evenness of the shutter that is much less complex than painting a portrait. Painting requires a number of sittings by a single artist experiencing life, and every sitting with a given portrait feels different. A painter can control where the eye will fall into a picture and what feelings the viewer is meant to feel. Portrait painting is an emotive act of technical fluency that when successful can resonate timelessly as both an impression of an individual and as a creative statement made by the artist. This marriage of elements makes painting so rewarding for me.

Every family has its own feeling and style. I am sensitive to the respective needs of my clients, and I enjoy capturing subtle nuances that make every family unique. In this fashion I can very comfortably weave my vision with that of my clients, which allows me to grow as a painter and remain true to my art. There are few better feelings than that of a successful portrait delivery.  My rates are the most competitive in the region that I am aware of for the quality and breadth of my commission experience and history.

Commissions take one to two months. I book no more than two painting commissions per month and I book in advance, so please call if you are planning a portrait in the future or think a surprise portrait would make the perfect Christmas, anniversary or birthday gift.  I will visit my clients and subjects in the comfort of their own homes, and am happy to make any travel arrangements necessary to facilitate a commission.

Please contact me with any questions or referrals at your convenience.  I will make your commission a pleasurable and lasting experience.  I look forward to painting for you and your family.

Respectfully,

Sandy Garnett