Posthumous portrait: On the easel

I am currently working on a posthumous portrait for a lovely young woman. She lost her Mom so early in her life and therefore I am honored to paint this commission of her mother. It will be on the smaller side and I started it at 8 x 10, but now just this morning decided the painting will look better at 9 x 12 and I know she'll be pleased that the painting will be larger. This is a design decision, based upon my years of graphic design and 17 years of painting commissioned portraits. I am most decidedly not a factory, but hopefully at the end of the day, a place with an intersection of thoughtfulness, care, art and joy.

I am eager to complete a few paintings in my studio before Christmas and I'm working hard on the weekends and doing my holiday shopping during the week.

To commission a painting, please email me at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Pet portraits from Photos: pet portrait artists

Pet portraits are a delightful part of my work. Gifts for dog lovers and other pet owners are a delight to do. I am currently working on a dog portrait which I will post when it is complete. The joy that pets bring to their owner's lives is immeasurable, so capturing them on canvas is meaningful as a gift for one's self or a family member. Pet portraits from photos that you have makes the job quite seamless or I am available to photograph your pet and we can review the painting options in more detail.

Pet portraits can also make a wonderful gifts for loss of a pet.

Having learned from the master painters of our age who have passed down painting techniques from generations passed, I can make your portrait go above and beyond a simple rendering.

To learn more about pet portraits, please send me an email, include your photo if you have one you'd like painted. Gift certificates available as well.

To send me a message, please click here.

Great Birthday Gifts! Paint my Photos: Cape Cod oil painting Commission — A gift for a Sister

Sometimes it can be hard to ship paintings. I get attached to them as they are propped up around my studio and home. This is one of them. It is a gift— so I was pleased to mail it out with one day shipping, insurance and signature confirmation. . . but I will miss it. The happy aspect is that it is a gift for the sister of the recipient and that warms my heart.

Paint my Photo: Commission a portrait, Wedding photos can make lovely memorable paintings

While the vast amount of my work is of contemporary portrait subjects and settings, once in a while I'm asked to paint posthumous paintings and other types of works.

Recently I was asked to paint an oil from an existing photo from about 50 years ago. The widower had recently lost his beloved wife. I was happy to oblige. In this case I utilzed a range of photographic reference and was very pleased to hear from him that I was spot on in capturing his wife! It was rewarding to put more color into the piece to make their skin tones fresh and believable as well as to create her floral bouquet.


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.