Contemporary Portrait Artists: Sonia Hale Commissioned Portraits, Oil Portraits

Luxury Gifts Online: Luxury Birthday Ideas—Commission a Landscape or other painting

2016-02-22T09:42:00.000-05:00

A really fun and exciting idea for an upcoming special birthday or anniversary is to commission a painting from one of your favorite vacation photos! I paint these for birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas gifts and Valentine's Day gifts.

One recent commission was for the parents of adult daughters who were moving from a beloved home. I used a photograph of the three children in the backyard as young children and visited the scene in person to make a quick sketch and take reference photographs. When one of the daughters saw the painting she said, "Mom is going to love this so much she will cry!"

If this seems like something that might interest you, please be in touch. I paint from small pieces up to 30 x 40 and even larger sometimes.

Please email me your photos if you have any, so I can give you an accurate price for the painting and also the approximate size of the piece you'd like or we can arrange for you to present a gift certificate and I will take photographs of your special place at a later date.

I also frame these paintings (or can make arrangements for this for you) quite often now, so let me know if you'd like for me to take care of that. One stop shopping to make it easy for you.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

My work is guaranteed and I have many testimonials on my website.

Luxury Birthday Ideas: a special Luxury Birthday Gift

2016-02-20T11:26:00.000-05:00

The painting above was for a gentleman's 90th birthday gift. I used photographs from a 85th celebration.

Often we rack our brains trying to come up with a really special birthday gift for a loved one. Maybe they are turning one of the big milestone birthdays or maybe it just feels like the year to do something special for them. Honestly if you feel it is the year for this kind of gift, I'd encourage you to act on the sentiment as it is always wonderful to remember those you love with a really terrific gift.

I paint many birthday paintings for all ages from those turning 40 or 50 and...the last one was for a 90 year old man with four children who wanted to give him something really special! He LOVED it.

Another idea is for me to paint your children for your spouse. This is very exciting and the children LOVE to be in on the secret!

So if this seems like something that might interest you, please be in touch. I paint from small pieces up to 30 x 40 and even larger sometimes.

In addition I may be able to use your photos (please email me them so I can give you an accurate price for the painting and approximate size of the piece you'd like) or we can arrange for you to present a gift certificate and I will take photographs of your loved one at a later date.

I paint these with joy to celebrate your loved one. I also frame these paintings (or can make arrangements for this for you) quite often now, so let me know if you'd like for me to take care of that. One stop, so to speak.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

My work is guaranteed and I have many testimonials on my website.

New Portrait Commission: A 50th Birthday gift

2016-02-18T09:43:00.000-05:00

I am looking forward to getting started next week on a birthday commission for the recipient's 50th Birthday gift. I have been working on several smaller paintings, polishing them up, getting the last important strokes in which bring a painting to life.

When I paint I think a lot about the person's character: this is my training and viewpoint. That I am not simply copying, but imparting a viewpoint. The feeling of the subject at that time in that setting with that light. I work to convey the subject on the most flattering terms as well!

I will post the smaller pieces I'm finishing up soon. One is a portrait of a precious little white dog.

The other portrait is a posthumous of a young mother. I am pulling out all the stops to make this piece capture the loveliness of this mom.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

My work is guaranteed and I have many testimonials on my website.

Luxury Birthday Ideas, a Luxury Birthday gift that will be Timeless and Ageless

2016-02-17T10:34:00.001-05:00

What an amazing concept: to have oneself preserved on canvas (or in this case a fine Belgium linen). What an honor to have one's spouse set this up on one's behalf.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

My work is guaranteed and I have many testimonials on my website.

Luxury Anniversary Gifts, luxury wedding gifts, Luxury Gifts that are truly spectacular

2016-02-17T10:24:00.000-05:00

For those who are thinking ahead to their anniversary and considering a significant gift this year, I want to offer a special gift idea which will truly honor your loved one for all your years to come: a portrait of your loved one. These can also make amazing luxury wedding gifts.

This can be achieved through a gift certificate to be wrapped and presented or by an actual painting completed from photos you have. (high resolution preferred, but I am able to work from a wide range of photographs given my years of experience in life drawing and painting)

The painting can be a head and shoulders or a 3/4 figure which includes hands, but not feet or a full length.

I price by the size of the painting and the amount of the figure included.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

My work is guaranteed and I have many testimonials on my website.

Luxury Valentine's Gift! Here is a sample of a woman's oil portrait

2016-02-09T13:24:00.000-05:00

Here is a really spectacular gift for your wife or significant other! How exciting to know that your spouse wants you painted!

Gift certificates are available to be wrapped.

These make wonderful: Anniversary Gifts, Birthday Gifts, Valentine's Day gifts, Christmas Gifts...I have painted spouses, parents, grandparents, children, significant others and pets for many worldwide.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

My work is guaranteed and I have many testimonials on my website.

Luxury Valentine's Gift!! A Gift Certificate for an oil or pastel Portrait

2016-02-08T16:27:00.000-05:00

So it is six days before VALENTINE'S DAY and you don't have that extra special gift for your loved one yet? If you want to do something extra special this year, I have just the idea which is easy on your part and one of the most thoughtful gifts you can offer— — a gift certificate for a portrait of your loved one or one of your children (if you have a family).

Ideas:
1. A head and shoulder, 3/4 (includes hands, but not feet) or full length painting of your loved one.

2. A painting of your children to be commissioned and planned with your loved one.

Consider how fun it will be to have a group painting of your children in your home always. You can include the family pet as well. Either we can plan a painting indoors or outdoors at your convenience.

To learn more about my work, please go here.

To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

If you have a specific budget in mind, please let me know so I can give you some ideas within that parameter. I like to work with as many interested potential clients as possible.

Cape Cod, Maine oil paintings: Specials on Seascapes

2016-02-02T10:13:00.000-05:00

To help you through the winter I'm offering a limited time special for my blog visitors only at this time (though that may change) on my smallest seascapes works: 11 x 14 or smaller unframed.

Go to soniahalefineart.com to view all the seascapes.

If you wish for me to frame one of the paintings, let me know.

These are really special paintings: the photographs never do justice to the subtle tones, colors and details of the originals. I am actually attached to them, so I highly recommend you purchase one soon before I change my mind.

Email me to secure your painting, as they are original works there is only one of each.

They make lovely gifts for yourself, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Birthdays and Anniversary Gifts.

To send me an email to hold one of them (there is only one of each), please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

Dennis, Cape Cod, Mayflower Beach, Cape Cod Seascapes

2016-02-01T15:27:00.000-05:00

Both of these are offered with a limited time Valentine's Day Special on my blog only for $500 each, oil, unframed.

They elicit those warm lovely days on the Cape when all is right. What a lovely Valentine's gift or other gift: birthday, anniversary...new summer home...or just for yourself.

A frame can be added for an additional fee. Shipping is a small flat fee for continental U.S.

To send me an email to hold one of them (there is only one of each), please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

Gay Head, Oak Bluffs, Views of Vineyard Sound: Cape Cod Seascapes

2016-02-01T15:18:00.001-05:00

11 x 14 oil, unframed, $500 each, original oil paintings of Martha's Vineyard

I am offering these paintings at $500 each. They are priced much higher on my website, but I am offering a limited time Valentine's Day special on my blog.

A frame can be added for an additional fee. Shipping is a small flat fee for continental U.S.

To send me an email to hold one or more of them (there is only one of each), please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

Cape Cod Seascapes: Newest Little Gems

2016-01-29T08:51:00.001-05:00

These paintings are 11 x 14 and 9 x 12. I am enjoying working on smaller seascapes, especially with the winter months and short days upon us.

To learn more about these Cape Cod seascapes, please go here.

Valentine's Day, Anniversary Gifts, Birthday Gifts and Luxury Gifts

2016-01-20T10:41:00.001-05:00

For those who are thinking ahead to anniversaries and other special occasions, a gift certificate for a commissioned painting can be a thoughtful and memorable gift. Contact me for me for more details.

The beauty of this gift is it will never need batteries or gather dust in a corner!

To learn more about how to commission a portrait for your loved one, please click here.

Custom Oil Portraits: Completed Teen portrait varnished and ready to deliver

2016-01-04T15:39:00.000-05:00

The last of three young adults graduated high school and has taken on some incredible volunteer work on a year off between classrooms. Here is the portrait I completed which captures some varied aspects of his character: his humor, intelligence and forward-thinking manner. A wonderful young adult launched into the world!

Commissioned Portraits: Custom Oil Sibling Portraits

2015-12-28T18:57:00.000-05:00

I have completed the sibling of these two young woman (as they are today). I painted each sibling at the time of their high school graduation which was quite a joy.

It should be noted that while the family resemblance happens to be marginal in these three young adults, they are equal in wonderful traits, such as charm and intelligence!

I will post the new painting tomorrow. Then it will be varnished and delivered. There was some discussion that the adorable family dog may be next as there are no more children to paint!

Luxury Gifts, Luxury Gifts Online—Last Minute Shopping with Great Thought

2015-12-23T16:37:00.001-05:00

For anyone who might be looking for a spectacular Christmas gift(or other occasion), but simply have not been able to get out and shop, I'd like to suggest a portrait of your loved one (or of your children) in 2016. What a lovely way to show your love and have something fun to look forward to. . . the unveiling!

I can email you a gift certificate, which can be wrapped.

Gift certificates are available for "head and shoulders", "3/4 figure" (which includes hands, but not feet in the painting) or full length portraits.

These also make memorable gifts for Anniversaries and Birthday gifts for those who may be ahead of many of the pack who are still finalizing Christmas gifts!

These gifts are enduring and will never be lost or forgotten. Please see my testimonials page to learn how moved family members are about these portrait gifts!

To enquire about gift certificate or a commission, please email me at soniahale1@gmail.com.

Luxury Christmas: Luxury Gifts for Men who have Everything!

2015-12-14T14:12:00.003-05:00

So you have been thinking for weeks of what would be a unique gift for the man in your life who has everything! (Anniversary, Christmas, Birthday...)

He has all the finest clothes he can wear, first rate sporting goods, all the lovely luxuries in life and more. What else would be special? I would like to suggest that a wonderful, memorable gift for such a person is a portrait. This can be painted from existing photographs or we can plan a time for me to visit to make a quick sketch and take photographs. It could be a portrait of him or of your child(ren).

The beauty of this gift is it will never need batteries or gather dust in a corner!

To learn more about how to commission a portrait for your loved one, please click here.

Posthumous portrait: On the easel

2015-12-12T09:53:00.000-05:00

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.

Hand-painted Portraits: A gift for Generations

2015-12-11T10:19:00.000-05:00

Custom portraits enrich a home like no other artwork. Capturing your children in youth is an amazing thing to be able to do.

Here are some considerations in commissioning a portrait:

1. If you have more than one child are you going to have all your children painted at the same time or individually at at certain age?

2. Would you like an indoor or outdoor portrait(s)?

3. What will they wear? Do you want a more formal portrait or casual portrait?

4. What is your ideal timeline for completion of the painting(s)? Are the paintings a gift?

5. Do you have a budget for the painting(s)?

6. Would you prefer an oil or pastel portrait?

Getting started on portraits is as simple as sending an email to explore these topics. We can talk about your timeline and pricing.

I'd love to talk to you about your commissioned portraits. Send me an email and we can get started on your heirloom portraits. To send me an email, please click here soniahale1@gmail.com.

Luxury Gifts for the Man who has Everything: a painting of your Children, Pets or Vacation home view

2015-12-10T06:21:00.001-05:00

Choosing the gift for the man who has everything takes some thought. If they truly have all their personal needs taken care of, thinking outside of the box can be fun in gift-giving. A Dad will be very moved by having a portrait commissioned of his children. Since it is just a few weeks before Christmas, a gift certificate can be wrapped and presented.

For more information, please click here: soniahale1@gmail.com.

Choosing the Best of Portrait artists for your Commission: Portrait Artist for hire

2015-12-08T11:17:00.002-05:00

Before hiring a portrait artist you need to consider a few things:

1. Before you hire an artist you should ask yourself, do you love the artist's style? Portraits are emotional pieces and a labor of love by the artist, as well as the gift of love by the buyer. These pieces will endure for decades and become a testament of your family's strength.

2. Are you comfortable with the artist——do you trust them to paint your commissioned portraits on time and in the manner you envision? Will they make any changes you request without it becoming a battle? Commissioned portraiture requires a special temperament on behalf of the artist. Where this is not "fine art" to be completed and sold as such, the artist should be very willing to hear your response to the painting(s) and make adjustments if you so desire.

3. What is the artist's background: how many years of study have they taken on? Do they have a proven track record and testimonials which back their abilities?

I have found the vast majority of my paintings are accepted without any adjustments, many with small adjustments done in a half hour or less and a very small percentage have had any more adjustments than that. This was due to the family members having opposing ideas of how they wanted the portrait subject to be portrayed. I work closely with families to be sure they are happy with the finished painting(s).

A comfortable feeling with the artist in all communications is important: that you feel your wishes are being heard.

To discuss a portrait commission please click here: soniahale1@gmail.com. You can rest assured that you will receive your painting on time and to your satisfaction, as I have been painting commissioned portraits for over 15 years. I have a full page of testimonials on my website: www.soniahale.com

Luxury Gifts: Best Luxury Gifts for Her

2015-12-08T06:59:00.000-05:00

With consideration of some possibilities for Christmas, Anniversary Gifts or Birthday Gifts, a commissioned painting is a lovely idea for the woman who has everything. What could be more exciting than to have a portrait painted of oneself to have for forever?

There are some things to consider: would you like to have a gift certificate to wrap? Or is there a photo (ideally professional or high resolution) which would translate well to a painting?

Do you want to commission a head and shoulders painting or a 3/4 figure to include hands? A full length is available as well.

If you'd like to see more samples of my work, please click here.

To send me an email to discuss a portrait commission, please click here: soniahale1@gmail.com.

Luxury Christmas: Luxury Gifts, luxury gift

2015-12-06T19:24:00.000-05:00

Christmas is coming in about 2 1/2 weeks. If you would like to consider a unique gift, a painted portrait of your spouse or significant other, your child/ children can make spectacular gifts. A gift certificate can be wrapped up for the fun of getting this in motion in 2016.

Send me an email at soniahale1@gmail.com to discuss details.

Oil portraits of Children: Children's portrait paintings

2015-12-06T19:09:00.001-05:00

Painting children has been my passion since about 1998, about 15+ years ago. I started off by painting pastel portraits and took several workshops, included some with Connie Pratt a master pastel artist who taught me some of her secrets. Once I was comfortable with pastels and my own children were slightly older, I began oil portraits of children in earnest and I sought out the nation's leading, famous portrait artists to further understand how to paint portraits. I traveled nationwide to workshops and conferences, entered my paintings of children into competitions on a national basis and began accepting commissions. I was mentored by a famous portrait artist who is now in his late 80's.

Some of my first commissions were group portraits of moms and children and 5 cousins, which gave me a lot to work on.

I have been fortunate to paint some wonderful children from as nearby as my hometown and as far away as New Orleans.

I love depicting children's skin tones, eyes—their external and their character. Capturing a child on canvas is a joyous thing and these portraits can make lovely gifts.

To check in with me to discuss a commission, please click here: soniahale1@gmail.com.

Art Reproductions: oil painting reproductions

2015-12-05T09:45:00.000-05:00

While I almost always work on original works, on occasion I will make an art reproduction to learn the techniques of the master art of the past. These studies have been vastly educational to me over the years and it is a pleasure to feel like one is walking in the shoes of a great painter of the past.

This is a copy of John Singer Sargent's Lady Agnew. A head and shoulders version of the painting.

To commission oil painting reproductions of existing paintings, please click here: soniahale1@gmail.com.

Posthumous portrait: Commission a portrait

2015-12-05T09:29:00.000-05:00

The posthumous portrait is one of the most rewarding portraits that I paint for families. Remembering those who have passed on is very emotional. Sometimes I photograph family members who resemble the deceased portrait subject for more understanding of bone structure and coloring.

The best way the family can get ready for this type of portrait commission is to gather all the best photographs that are available at the highest resolution possible. We will review them and make a plan.

To discuss a portrait commission or posthumous portrait, please click here.