15th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show: what a show. . .

It was a pleasure to step out impromptu into Boston to see the 15th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show on Saturday and it reminded me of how lucky I am to have such a great city at my fingertips. The show was held in the South End at the Boston Center for the Arts' Cyclorama building. Seeing world-class art with few hastles (no problems finding walkable parking on Tremont St) was extremely rewarding. I took photographs a bit in haste. It's also worth noting how impressive the range of works were in price, size, era and style. There really was something for almost everyone.

This year there were 42 booths and I enjoyed seeing the full range of works, but my favorites were from the 19th-20th century including a drawing by John Singer Sargent, an unusual pastel by Mary Cassatt and landscape paintings by John Henry Twachtman. In addition I enjoyed seeing a presidential JFK drawing (study) by Aaron Shikler at one booth with an Andy Warhol portrait (screenprint, I believe) of Senator Ted Kennedy directly in sight at a different booth. I also enjoyed seeing a self portrait by Dennis Miller Bunker (who's work I always look at somewhat wistfully as he was a great talent and died young when he was newly into a very happy marriage) and a portait by Joseph DeCamp. I was also very pleased to see several lovely drawings by Lilian Westcott Hale (no relation.)

I came home with a bag full of art magazines and brochures (gold), including a gorgeous new premier issue of "American Fine Art." I highly recommend art lovers and buyers to check this superb show out in the future.

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 corporate portrait: the business portrait

Clark Waterfall
BSG Team Ventures
Oil on linen
40" x 30"


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.

Putney Still Life

Here is a new still life I've been working on which I started in Putney. My goal was to capture the freshness in nature.


Putney Still Life
oil on linen
14" x 18" inches

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.

Visiting Artist at the Putney Painters

The photos above are of me talking with Richard Schmid.

It was a joy to be in Putney, Vermont yesterday painting with the Putney Painters as a visiting artist. I have made trips to Putney over the past 5-6 years, including attending a lecture by Richard Schmid at Landmark College, and have painted in the famous barn several other times, but this time was particularly special.

I was able to talk with Nancy Guzik and Richard Schmid about my plans and progress for a new still life and watch Richard paint in person. Richard shared with us techniques he has perfected over the years as he worked on one of his new masterpieces. Richard {known as a Painter's painter and who has shaped the development of many of the leading artists today} and Nancy Guzik are at the pinnacle of artists painting today.

I will post my painting when it's complete.

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.

Lila at the Belle Haven Country Club

Lila had great energy after a nap and was a radiant delight.

Lila
oil on linen
30" x 26"


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.

New formal woman's oil portrait

40" x 30"
oil on linen
Haley

I enjoyed working on this formal oil portrait. During the several sittings I got to know Haley, a lovely young woman.


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.

Choosing your Medium for your Portrait

The art buyer often needs to make some decisions when commissioning a portrait. One of the first is the Medium. I discussed this in an earlier blog, but I thought it'd be nice to show the wider view of a pastel I did a few years ago. It shows the strokes in the pastel.

Pastels are a subtle, but glorious medium. Choosing pastel sticks for a little child's portrait is a marvel. You see the buttery skin tones in the pastel boxes, but it's also deceptive as there is always so much more going on that the artist is thinking about to capture the face. I was able to study over a few summers with Constance Flavell Pratt and learned so much about the medium.

Pastels are framed with glass to protect them. I think it's the fragile nature of them that captures our hearts. However, do not let the fragile aspect put you off from choosing this medium if you love it. Mary Cassatt's pastels need no introduction and they are from the late 1800's. Pastels from about 1770 by Jean-Baptiste Simeon Chardin hang at the Louvre, as well as those by Maurice-Quentin de La Tour. I was able to see works by those artists over the summer and they were exquisite. Just remember to hang your pastel out of the direct sunlight to avoid fading of the subtle tones and also try to keep it in a low-humidity environment (never in a basement for storage.)


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.

The Portrait Society of America members mourn the loss of Gordon Wetmore

" It takes an artist to make an artist."
Emilie Gruppe


A few weeks ago we learned that Gordon Wetmore, the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Portrait Society of America was very ill. He experienced his first signs of illness in June and very sadly he succombed to a rare disease called Prion last week, shortly after being diagnosed.

Gordon was an artist and painted over 700 portraits of distinguished subjects including: President Richard M. Nixon, Jack Nicklaus, Fred Couples, Dr. and Mrs. Norman Vincent Peale, Leon Uris, Princess Grace, Prince Rainier and Prince Albert of Monaco.

Having attended five PSA conferences around the country I can attest to what a fine organization Gordon envisioned and created. The level of professionalism and organization of artists-helping-artists is a beautiful thing to experience. The PSA, created in 1998, now has over 3000 members internationally. It is not an overstatement to say that the PSA through it's annual conference and competition has raised the level of portraiture and figurative painting internationally. What a sparkling legacy Gordon has left.


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.

Early morning plein air painting in Woodstock, Vermont

Early Morning at Billings Farm
6 x 9
oil on panel

I managed to squeeze in a quick early morning study while in Vermont over the weekend for a family party. I was thankful that the staff at Billings Farm didn't disturb me as I quickly worked to try to capture the delicate early light.

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. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Original Oil Paintings from Monet's Garden in Giverny

In late July I was able to visit Monet's Garden in Giverny, Paris. It was a spectacular day and the gardens were a joyous place to be. I was very inspired and have begun some paintings.

The PInk Rose Topiary in Giverny
14" x 18"
oil on linen

The Yellow Rose Arbor: Monet's Garden
14" x 18"
oil on linen

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.

Book recomendation: 'Sargent's Daughters" by Erica Hirshler

This book has been out for a year or so, but I just read it over the past few days. The book was an attempt to try to demystify a very complex, tantalizing painting (and family), but in the end there was little left behind except the actual work. There are no sketches or letters by John Singer Sargent (JSS) disucssing his intentions in this masterpiece—which he painted in six weeks at the age of 26. The author does an excellent job, however explaining the artistic mindset of JSS as he came into painting this work.

I admired the author for her restraint in undertaking the text. She never oversteps or extrapolates, and in addition, she does a superb job with the family history of the Boits and John Singer Sargent's relationship with the father. Edward Darley Boit was a gifted painter who suffered a rejection from the 1891 Salon exhibition in Paris. It was a huge blow to him and, looking at the rejected painting, a shame.

Mr. Sargent was a painting friend of Mr. Boit's and there was enough of a friendship that first, he was entrusted, carte blanche, to paint the four daughters and secondly, with some kind of honor to be repaid, much later in life the two had several very successful watercolor shows together here in the U.S.

The four girls never married and their various histories are well explained. In addition, there were devastating family tragedies which, as always, make one aware of how lucky we are for modern medicine.

One of the nicest things I discovered was that the youngest daughter Julia was an artist herself and has many works left to the Newport Art Museum in Newport, Rhode Island. A few of her paintings are pictured in the book and are just lovely.

In short I highly recommend the book to those who are enthralled by "The Daughters of Boit," which hangs at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Mr. Boit wished for the museum to have the painting and what a gift it was. His four daughters signed over the painting in1919 to the museum, "In his memory we hereby present this canvas of us, his four daughters, to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts."

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.

Oil Painting on the Pont du Carrousel over the Seine River, Paris

Just back from an incredibly inspiring trip to Paris.

The Pont du Carrousel crosses the Seine at the Louvre, and was built in 1833-4. Other nearby landmarks footsteps from where this photo was taken is the Sennilier art supply store, a bastion of French art supplies since 1887. The energizing Tour de France wove through the city on one day bringing crowds, but mostly it was quiet in the mornings when I was painting. A quick stop for coffee and I was ready to go.

To see more of my Paris/Giverny 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.

Roses in Limoges

"Roses in Limoges"
12" x 10"
oil on panel

To go to my Floral 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.

Ginger in Repose; pet portrait

Ginger in Repose
12" x 16"
oil on linen
nfs, sample


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.

Cape Cod scenes

Dogwood in summer
9" x 12"
oil on panel


Fence in shadow
9" x 12"
oil on panel

To see my Cape Cod and Islands 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.

Sea Street Beach, Dennis in summer

An early morning study of light on the beach dunes.

Sea Street Beach Dunes
9" x 12"
oil on 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.

Plein Air painting at Rob's house

Sea Street Dunes, Dennis
oil on linen panel
9" x 12" (work in progress here)

Dogwood Tree
oil on linen panel
9" x 12" (work in progress here)

To see more of my Cape Cod painting gallery click here

After a long winter with weekly near-blizzards in February and about 5 feet of snow in our built up in our yard (though I'll admit now it seems a bit Dr. Zhivago) AND a rainy and cold spring, it was great to get to the Cape over the weekend. I was surprised at how nice it was to be outdoors painting and quickly got on a roll, wondering why I paint indoors (5 feet of snow, cold, rain. . . commissions deadlines. . .). I will photograph and post the three paintings I did soon.

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.

Completed paintings of Identical twins

Painting identical twins presented some interesting considerations: How to keep the personality of each child intact, yet work with their similar appearance in a meaningful way. Right away I understood the diverging personailites of the girls: one who held my hand to cross the street and the other a more spirited child. I worked from photographs as the Mom was extremely busy. Going through the numerous photos later, the concept became clear.

These frames are from Page-Waterman Gallery in Wellesley.

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.

New portrait commission completed: the double children's portrait

It was a joy recently to paint this double children's portrait. I enjoyed capturing their unique personalities and relationship.

Framing at Page-Waterman Gallery in Wellesley (I will post the painting soon framed.), gorgeous dresses from Abigail's Children's Boutique in Wellesley. I highly recommend both businesses for those in the Boston area.


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.

The High School Graduation Oil Portrait: a Timeless Treasure

I am working on my third high school portrait in a year, a double of siblings, and I have to say, what an incredibly wonderful thing to have once your child is off at college. As a parent I can fully understand how comforting it would be to have this in one's home once your "child" departs. Photos are of course superb, but a painting goes so much further.

Eighteen is a threshold and what a moment to capture. I get goosebumps thinking about the amazing transition from child to teen to young adult.

So very fortunately these days it is much easier to stay in touch with our children by email, by text, by phone, etc etc. And air travel is so much more "done". However, to have this timeless painting of them . . .!


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.

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.

Tips for framing an oil painting/oil portrait commission

Framing a portrait seems like a daunting task to most of my clients. It is not something which comes up routinely in their lives and of course they wish to get it right.

Firstly, get quotes from several framers with excellent reputations in your area. They will be able to guide you through the process and give you their eye. You may find on your first visit that you are comfortable and set to leave the painting to be framed.

Considerations:
1. Width of frame: The larger the painting, usually the wider the frame.

2. Style of frame: Sometimes one wants the frame to speak and add to the statement. Other times one wishes for it to sit back more. [This is where artistry continues to be involved in the decision-making and understandably, the non-artist can become confused. A good framer can help you.}

2. Color of the frame: Extremely important: the color and tone must compliment the painting, whether it's more gold or more brown. One ideally should see the frame right up to the painting and you can cup your hands around the edge of the painting/frame and squint to get a feel for how the entire piece will look framed.

3. Shine in frame: Do you want it to sit back—— and be more matt——or sparkle a bit.

4. Formality of the room where the painting will hang and the level of formality in the painting: Match the frame style accordingly.

In the end it's taste and preference. With a few frames held up to your piece you will soon be on you way to getting your painting hung!

To see some of my portrait and 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. You can reach her by email at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Why I do what I do: the Happy client. . .

pastel, Wellesley College paramecium pond 24" x 36" SOLD


What is rewarding to me as an artist is the response from my clients when they receive their paintings——and frame and hang them. If I didn't have extremely happy clients, I'd find something else to do.

So after being out for a bit, I came in and checking my email and received a nice surprise to hear from a woman who mid-year last year commissioned me to do an over-sized pastel of her treasured place from her past , "Hi Sonia!
I am sorry it has been so long.
I got the pastel framed today and I am deliriously happy. . . I have my beautiful painting on the wall. It's up . . . and I'm thrilled to tears.
very best - H
and thank you once again! It was a pleasure enjoying the process with 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.