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.

"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.

Master Art Teachers

Today my hat is off to teachers who give so much of their time, energy and knowledge; while at times juggling important commissions schedules around class schedules.

Master Artists I have studied with: Constance Flavell Pratt (Copley Society, Master Artist in pastel), Bob Cormier (Boston School trained artist, we painted beautifully dressed models in natural light), Michael Shane Neal (wonderful workshop in advanced oil painting) and Everett Raymond Kinstler (workshops by 2nd generation student of John Singer Sargent; ERK a famed, beloved artist of 6 U.S. Presidents). These teachers are the ones who have had the most impact on my work and my inner constitution.

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.

Artistic Inspiration and Teachers

Time present and time past
Are both perhaps present in time future,
And time future contained in time past . . .
all time is eternally present.
T. S. Eliot

I thought I’d start by starting at the beginning—artistic inspiration and teachers. Many of today’s portrait artists speak reverently of John Singer Sargent. He was one of the first artists I came to know and love as I took in the Boston Museum of Fine Art’s collections as a child. I adored “The Daughters of Boit,” a painting which is a brilliant work. If you study the painting closely you'll notice the intriguing abstact qualites in the background.

Once I became enamored with portraiture, I was delighted to meet and watch Everett Raymond Kinstler—the renowned painter of 6 presidents, countless cabinet members, college dignitaries and luminaries—paint in 1999 at the Copley Society in Boston. His lush skin tones appeared to turn seamlessly and he captivated us with his stories and finesse. Mr. Kinstler is a gifted storyteller and speaker, and as John Silber, the former president of Boston University said, “If you put duct tape over Ray’s mouth, he cannot paint.” He tried to make it clear that his demonstrations are like a stunt and that many hours are required to create a finished work. We all had a had time believing him as he began painting.

I later learned that Mr. Kinstler is a second generation student of JSS. He also masterfully creates with reality and abstraction in breathtaking strokes. His portraits/figures are always sculptural and feel weighted. Please see www.everettraymondkinstler.com. Since that time I have been able to take more workshops with Ray and obtain his advice on most of the portraits I have painted from the earliest ones to my most recent. I carried a large pastel triple-portrait commission into the Copley Society in Boston one year, to get insight into my work. Ray has displayed vast generosity to many of us seeking to be better artists.

His protégé, Michael Shane Neal is also a master. I was lucky to attend a workshop with Shane a few years back. His work can be seen at www.michaelshaneneal.com. Shane demonstrated from life; painted an ears, eyes and nose sample and began one commission. Shane was so kind and pleasant throughout the week, giving of his enormous talent, insight and time while also providing such extremely entertaining stories our stomachs hurt from laughing.

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.