2 paintings chosen to hang in Max’s Art Supplies in Westport, CT

If you are in the Westport, CT area this month, please stop by to see two of my framed portrait paintings hanging at Max's Art Supplies' window display. They were selected to hang there for a month!

There is both a child's portrait and an adult portrait. They will be there until March 6th.

Max’s Art Supplies, 68 Post Road East, Westport, CT

To go to my portrait website

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

My painting of Peter Trippi

What an honor to have the opportunity to paint Fine Art Connoisseur editor, Peter Trippi, in Greenwich, Connecticut in July with the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists. He was a fantastic model despite the summer heat and a class act. My painting was started from his live sitting of 3 hours with breaks.


www.soniahale.com


Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Painting from life in Putney, Vermont

It was a joy to paint in Putney, Vermont this past week and I was pleased that my favorite model out of the three days liked my portrait painting of her (in progress as I had 3 hours to work from life). I will work on it a tiny bit more and post it soon, but it is the middle portrait in the third photograph down. Another three hours to paint the dear Clara Rose's face would have been a dream for me and I would have been about done with the painting. . .

I painted my first nude in a long time as well. In my early 20's I drew from the nude model often in classes, as well as did numerous (quick and detailed) charcoal studies of the figure, skeleton and animal skulls, including at classes with William Reimann at Harvard University's Carpenter Center.

I am always grateful for the artists I meet along the way who share their artistic journey with me. (Michelle D., if you are reading this, thank you. . .)

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

New landscape completed

Cranberry Bog in Winter
9 x 12, linen on professional panel

To see more of my landscape gallery paintings, click here

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

In a Bog in February: a Cranberry bog in Dennis

I am fascinated by this bog having driven by it year-round for a few years. It is as lovely in winter as it is in summer. I hope to paint a more finished painting from this 45 minute study soon.

This was my first foray into painting in challenging 20 degree winter conditions. In addition I am using lighter-weight plein air equipment which is super, but I am not yet used to it. Despite this I had a great time out there.

"Cranberry bog in Winter: Dennis"
8 x 10 oil on linen panel

to see more of my Cape Cod oil paintings click here



Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Choosing between Pastel vs. Oil Portraits

Can you tell which is the oil and which is the pastel? The boy is in oil, and the girl pastel.

I am often asked about the pros and cons of pastel vs. oil portraiture. I studied under Constance Flavell Pratt for pastel portraiture, learning the nuances of handling of this lovely, ethereal medium. I have worked in both pastel and oil for portraiture for over ten years now, and have painted in oil for decades.

Both are timeless works of art, however pastels are intrinsically more delicate. A pastel is essentially chalk on paper; though archival, elite materials are used. Like a butterfly, a baby, a rainbow, I believe we love pastels for their delicacy; how they capture a tenderness of life, but like all delicate things you have to be more watchful not to incur damage.

What do I mean by damage?

—Water/mildew: Never, ever store a pastel (or any work of art for that matter) in a basement.

—Pastels must be hung out of direct sunlight to prevent the fading of color pigments.

—The unframed surface is easily marred since most artists do not spray-fix them as that alters the delicate colors. Until they are framed with glass do not let the cat check it out! As an artist I have heard stories of rambunctious children waltzing into rooms and ruining pieces in the works still in studios.

—Take extra care when hanging/transporting the framed piece as it is in glass. At an art exhibition the organizers were trying out new hanging apparatus and artwork was dropping to the floor. I pulled out my pastel early.

Of course these types of events are fairly rare, but I feel that the ideal owner of a pastel is be a careful person who will watch out for their art and remember they must take good care of it.

Oils are more resilient and framing costs can be less for the same size piece: sometimes that can mean that it is a better "buy" to purchase the oil, if you prefer oil, as the price will be about the same as a consumer, with the purchase of the painting and the frame in total. Framing a pastel is an elaborate process of a custom-cut double matt, glass and frame. However if you want a rainbow, sometimes you are willing to go the extra half-mile for it!

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

My portraits were recently chosen to be included in the Best of Worldwide Portrait and Figurative Artists book

I am very happy to announce that my portraits will be reproduced in the Best of Worldwide Portrait and Figurative Artists book this fall. There will be a two-page full color spread. I was chosen out of "thousands of artists both on and off line".

I will post a photograph of the pages once the book comes out.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist living in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Testimonials: Unsolicited comments about my Commissioned Portrait paintings

I am speechless! Sonia, it is simply lovely! Thank you so much!

Sonia, this is really wonderful. I am so in awe of your talent.
Wowee! It is even more amazing than the photo shows. The colors, the light -- the skin tones.

Thank you SO much, Caroline for making this happen. I agree with Laura, I think M&D will be absolutely thrilled!

Good Morning Sonia,
Thanks for sending the painting of my mother. I love it ! I tried printing it on photo paper but my printer needs adjustment to accept the heavy paper. Will keep trying as it will be a focal piece on the wall where I have a xxx memorabilia collection.

Dear Sonia
Mailing me a photograph of my mother would be much appreciated. (referring to the painting of his mother)

Beautiful. I just want to sit here with it for a while.

The painting has a glow and lights up the library.

It is impossible to thank you properly, but we will treasure this portrait always.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

For Boston area art lovers: N.C. Wyeth paintings and other works at the Needham Public Library

One of the more exciting things as an art lover is when you come upon one of your favorite artist's paintings unexpectedly. I have been aware of the N.C. Wyeth (1882-1945) paintings at the Needham Public Library in Needham, MA but had more time to spend looking at them recently. N.C. was extraordinary in his ability to create dramatic works of art. He used every device at his disposal to do so. The raw emotion he was able to emit is memorable. In his lifetime N.C. created over 3000 works and more than 100 book illustrations!

N.C. (Newell Convers) Wyeth was born on the outskirts of Needham in 1882. He displayed an early aptitude for art and studied locally before being sent to be part of an elite group of artists studying under Howard Pyle, one of the most prominent illustrators of his time.

The Needham Public Library owns 14 works by NC Wyeth. I will add some photos soon. The library was designed in 1914 and renovated in about 2005-7. The architectural/design firm Ann Beha of Boston utilized NC Wyeth's paintings an an integral role in the interior design.

I highly recommend art and book lovers take time to see the lovely works in Needham and don't forget pick up a few books to read while you're at it.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Thoughts on Portrait Likeness and Character: my portrait subjects are the Stars

Just as an actress seeks to become the character, I seek to find my portrait subject's character. For posthumous paintings I get to know the subject by talking with the family. Ultimately my goal is to bring out the best of the person on my canvases and to make them the star, to shine.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Another great conference: 2010 Portrait Society of America conference in Washington D.C.

I'm back to work in my studio in full force this week, very much inspired after an action-packed few days in Washington, D.C. The Portrait Society of America's annual conference is filled with painting demonstrations, lectures, bus trips to local museums, a banquet to celebrate the top portrait artists in the country and this year even offered a wonderful mystery art sale.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists presents award to Everett Raymond Kinstler

The photos above are from the CSOPA presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to Everett Raymond Kinstler yesterday at UCONN in Stamford, Connecticut. In introductory remarks Mr. Kinstler's illustrious years of painting six U.S. presidents, actresses/actors such as Katherine Hepburn and Paul Newman, and others including Donald Trump and Mayor Rudolph Giuliani were noted. In addition the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery owns over 100 of his works.

Shane Neal presented the award to Mr. Kinstler after his wonderful roast heralding Mr. Kinstler's many charming characteristics. Those who have been able to attend his workshops and receive mentoring on any level have been touched by his warmth and generosity. A few years back at the 2008 Portrait Society of America conference he spoke about the vast number of Artists who had influenced his work, and especially those who had been teachers/friends, "They made my life richer." That can most certainly be said about Mr. Kinstler to this generation of artists. He has seen the majority of the portraits I have painted over the past decade, since the time I was bringing portraits into the Copley Society for him to critique in the early 2000's. I have had critiques from him that made me dig deep to work harder to be worthy. He has been prodding me, telling me how to do it better, always.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

The artistic lineage of Everett Raymond Kinstler: authenticity

The photos above are of Ray Kinstler demonstrating at the Art Student's League in New York in 2006.

I recently received an email requesting more in-depth information regarding my statement that ERK is a second-generation student of John Singer Sargent. Who was my source for this information and who exactly did Mr. Kinstler learn from?

Mr. Kinstler's protégée, Shane Neal, who is himself a premier Master painter: www.michaelshaneneal.com, mentioned the lineage a few years back. In addition here are more details. Gordon Stevenson studied with John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla. (Sorolla has been, I would say, of near equal influence on Mr. Kinstler. ) Stevenson took a liking to Ray Kinstler and he shared with him lessons from Sargent and Sorolla. Ray also was taught by Frank DuMond, and James Montgomery Flagg who also knew/met/traveled within the circles of Mr Sargent. There is more to the story, but I'm going to stop there.

Mr. Kinstler is being honored in Connecticut next Friday, February 5th, by the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists (CSOPA), of which I am a member. Shane will be presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Kinstler.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

John Singer Sargent's Lady Agnew of Lochnaw— my master copy

John Singer Sargent painted Lady Agnew in 1892. It is considered to be one of his finest paintings. I painted my cropped copy of his work this year. Many have commented about how closely my reproduction matches the original.

14 x 18 unframed


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Pastel Landscape Study—Green Dust!

Here is a pastel sketch for an oil. I believe I could paint five paintings off my reference—at least. A favorite spot of mine nearby.

To see more of my Landscape paintings click here

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

Constance Flavell Pratt to demonstrate at the Wellesley Community Center

Constance Flavell Pratt, a Master pastel artist, will be demonstrating at the Wellesley Community Center for the Wellesley Society of Artists on October 4th from 2-4 pm.

Connie was one of my first portrait teachers and one of the best. We painted from the model all day, with a new model each day. By the end of the week, my drawing skills and ability to match color values were keen.(Although one always works on these major skills over their lifetime.)

Connie, a lovely, demure, humble lady speeds off to Boston for the thrill of capturing courtroom scenes for WCVB-TV in Boston Federal Court. She shared some of her stories and sketches. Her sister Jane, was always a joy to see at these workshops as well.

I will always be grateful to Connie for de-mystifying how to work with pastels and for the great start she gave me in portraiture.


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

"Emily in Blue Dress" a Finalist in the Fall 2009 Exhibition of the Portrait Society of Atlanta

I am very happy to announce that my portrait "Emily in Blue Dress" has been juried in as a Finalist at the 2009 Fall Exhibition of The Portrait Society of Atlanta. I am one of 22 finalists in this national competition, which is an indeed an honor, as judging is by premier artist Michael Shane Neal, who has painted illustrious figures including Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and U.S. Senator Bill First (having completed over 400 commissioned portraits), as well as received landscape painting awards from the National Arts Club and the Audubon Artists of America.

"Emily in Blue Dress" will be on display at the Hudgens Center for the Arts in Duluth, Georgia from September 17th to Dec. 31st. If you're in the area be sure to stop by for this lovely exhibition!

To see of my portrait commissions gallery click here

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Interviewed: on the Other Side of the Camera

It was indeed interesting to be on the other side of the camera today, to get that perspective that my portrait subjects have.

Wellesley Cable Channel's Associate Producer, Rachel Appel took an interest in my paintings recently and asked to stop by to interview me and film my work. The air date, which will be in a few weeks, to be announced for any interested local residents.


www.soniahale.com

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.

The Wyeth Family: Mastery in three generations and lessons learned for today's Artists in Finding their Path

From the top, first photograph of Rudolf Nureyev and Jamie Wyeth, Seagull painting by Jamie Wyeth, "Trodden Weed" by Andrew Wyeth, "Robin Hood Shooting" illustration by N.C Wyeth, and a photograph of N.C. Wyeth at the easel.

One of the most fascinating art families in American history is the Wyeth family. What child who ever read "Treasure Island" or "Last of the Mohigans" with the works by N.C. Wyeth was not enthralled by the heart-stopping illustrations and deported to another place? His works leap off the page in use of color, dramatic lighting, costume, character, draftsmanship and imagination. Utterly brilliant works. I was thrilled when I freelanced at Silver Burdett and Ginn, designing children's language arts textbook pages and packaging for program materials in the art department, and got to see two of N.C.'s original paintings casually hanging in one of the conference rooms. Later, I would visit the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine with great interest.

N.C. Wyeth was a truly gifted father who dressed up in Santa outfts and created a magical childhood for his 5 children. They all romped around in the incredible costumes he used for his paintings, in plays etc. He bought elaborate soldier sets for Andrew who was a sickly child and allowed him to stay home and be home-schooled, as he was too sensitive and delicate for regular school. N.C. was extraordinarily perceptive about his children and nurtured their own gifts. He quickly learned that one son who as a baby would move his pram during nap time, was fascinated by the wheels turning and therefore he was more of an engineer intellectually and changed his name.

N.C. Wyeth was disgruntled later in his life as he watched his son Andrew become a famous fine artist. On one hand he could not have been prouder and happier, but it made him question himself and his own path of choosing to become a profitable illustrator. It eroded his centered-self and consequently created some major family issues. What a tragedy that he did not fully appreciate his own powerful gifts and leave it at that, while building up a new body of fine artwork. But he simply couldn't be happy with what he'd done and work positively forward. He experienced deep unrest. He was also extremely envious of the role Andrew's wife Betsy would take in his life, as she would help steer and control Andrew's path, taking this cherished role from N.C. N.C. would later die a seismically tragic death with his grandson in his stalled car at a train track, his arm out of the car in a futile effort motioning to the conductor to please stop.

Andrew Wyeth was of course a fabulous artist too, but with a sharply different viewpoint. His work was not like N.C.'s, but both were fabulous artists.

Jamie Wyeth, son of Andrew, is also a fascinating artist who has manage to carve out his own place in the family (consider how hard that could be) who creates passionate, unusual works/series such as his seagull series which I saw at the Farnsworth Museum, while also being able to paint stunningly sensitive portraits. His works on Rudolf Nureyev are incredibly intriguing and how wonderful is it that he fully captured this exquisite dancer before his death.

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Arts to the Avenue in Greenwich, Connecticut on the occasion of the Greenwich Arts Council's 35th anniversary

It was great to be in Greenwich, Connecticut on Saturday drawing portraits in charcoal and catching up with my fellow CSOPA artists. That the weather held up was wonderful. I made many new friends in Connecticut and really appreciated the Starbucks cappuccino one gracious and happy portrait subject brought to me! It's always a pleasure to be able to chat with one's portrait subjects, which enables one to bring more of their personality into the work. I also want to take a moment to thank those sitters as I was so very impressed with their ability to sit still for 30 + minutes, even the younger ones!

To see my portrait commissions click here

Sonia Hale is an award-winning, nationally-collected artist in Boston. She paints commissioned portraits for families and institutions nationwide. Her original landscape and still life oil paintings can be purchased at http://www.soniahale.com. For more information, go to http://www.soniahale.com.