There is nothing more interesting in art than the human face. It is the book cover of every human story.

Each portrait painting brings its own challenges, and I approach each one differently, as the assignment warrants. The ideal working process is to paint a portrait from life, with multiple sittings when possible. My 2014 self portrait (detail above, full painting below) was painted this way, with two large mirrors in the studio to establish a profile. In contrast, Aaron's Haircut (right), a small study of a head done in 2025, was painted from a black and white family photo. Complex portraits of busy clients are most likely a combination of a live sitting and reference from photos and sketches. The posthumous portrait of Kerry Ewing (below) even involved staging a photo shoot on location, with an actor/body double for the figure, and other photo reference for the subject's face.

Portraits in Oils

Oil portraits from life or photo reference

Self Portrait, 2014.

Self Portrait, 2014, oil on canvas, 30 x 40 inches. This was painted from life in the studio, using two mirrors to establish a profile. The painting in the background is 'It is the LORD,' 2010, 64 x 84 inches.

Aarons Haircut

Aaron's haircut is only an 8 x 10 inch canvas, but it is a small portrait of a big man. Aaron is my nephew, a man with special needs and 24 hour care. The family photo from which this was taken was only black and white, so the color is all mine. He is shown being proud of his new haircut.

Gene and Melissa

Oil on linen, 16 x 20 inches. 2024. A gift from a husband to his wife, this was painted from a photo supplied by the client.

Portrait of R. Lester Sauvage, 2003, oil on canvas, 36 x 48

Portrait of Dr. Lester Sauvage

Portrait of Dr. Lester Sauvage, 2003, oil on canvas, 36 x 48 Collection of The Hope Heart Institute, Seattle. Painted from life in a research operating room at The Hope Heart Institute.

Parker at the Piano

Commissioned portrait, 2021. Oil on linen, 29 x 36 inches. Private collection. Setting is The Chocolate Room, The Ruins, Seattle

Parker at the Piano, (detail)

Detail of Parker at the Piano, 2021.

The Artist - Portrait of Kerry Ewing

The Artist - Portrait of Kerry Ewing, 1961-2017. Oil on canvas, 38 x 52 inches.

Portrait of Kerry Ewing 1961-2017 , (detail )

Portrait of Kerry Ewing, Detail

The Artist - Portrait of Kerry Ewing, 1961-2017. Oil on canvas, 38 x 52 inches. (detail)
This posthumous portrait of my friend was taken from a photo of him by my father, combined with location photos and a body model who resembled him.

Before the Cancer, 2016

Before the Cancer, oil on canvas, 26 x 46, 2016. Portrait of my sister Eva Day Wulff, from photos taken at Alki Beach, Seattle. Eva was a triathlete, a pathologist, teacher, writer and poet. She finished her race with cancer in 2024.

Before the Cancer, (detail)

Channel Swimmer

Oil on marble, 8 x 10 inches.
Portrait commemorating a woman who swam English Channel in her 60s.

Reggie Thompson

Oil on canvas, 9 x 12 inches. Real Change Portrait Project, 2019