During these days of sheltering in place due to COVID-19, my companionship is limited to my immediate family, Zoom calls, and conversations with neighbors from a safe distance away.  And while these are all lovely, I do feel the absence of broader human connection. 

If you feel the same way, you’ll appreciate today’s blog, which is filled with portrait art – a fun way to expand your circle of ‘friends’ during this time of isolation, and an invitation to support the artist community.  Just imagine, you can fill your walls with exotic and mysterious characters…. a whole new way to think about your next dinner party!  Here’s the guest list I’ve dreamed up. 

 

The Textile Designer and World Traveler

This dinner guest divides her time between world travels and designing her globally-inspired textiles.  She will keep us all enthralled with tales of her adventures in far-flung destinations.

The portrait is by Pamela Jaccarino.  You can find more of her vibrant and whimsical artwork on her Instagram profile, and be sure to DM her if you see something you’re interested in purchasing. 

 

The Mysterious Documentarian 

It may take him a cocktail or two to warm up, but once we get him talking about the documentary he’s currently working, he will light up the room with his passion for the topic!

The portrait is by Rob Delamater, co-founder of the Lost Art Salon in San Francisco.  Although the gallery is temporarily closed, the artwork is available for purchase through the website, and shipping is currently free. 

 

The Open Water Distance Swimmer

She usually has a few stories to tell about close encounters with aquatic life, and she may try to convince us all to get up early the next morning for an ocean swim.  But she never lets her rigorous training schedule get in the way of having a good time! 

The portrait is by T. S. Harris, represented by Simon Breitbard Fine Arts with galleries in San Francisco and Menlo Park.  Their website has an extensive and diverse range of artwork.  If you see something you like, you can email them a picture of your space and they will Photoshop the piece into it for you to consider virtually. 

 

The Child Prodigy

Our youngest dinner guest will impress us all with his theatrical endeavors, and may even entertain us with his musical talents. 

The portrait is by Taca Albarracin of TacaNation and is actually contained within a lightbox.  Taca is a San Francisco resident who shows her work every year during Open Studios. 

 

The Vintner

We’re always thrilled when this guest shows up with a few bottles of wine from his vineyard, but it’s his conversation that keeps things lively.  His former career as a professional soccer player is just one of the topics that will reel us in. 

The portrait is by Aldo Luongo represented by Chloe Gallery, located in San Francisco.  It is part of a series of portraits of this character, known as ‘The Hawk’ that Luongo has been painting for over 50 years. The character embodies his father, friend, art dealer, and a little of himself.   And Aldo Luongo really does have a past career as a professional soccer player.  Chloe Gallery focuses on American and International Modern and Contemporary art.  The website is a joy to browse, and owners Greg Lejnieks and Amy Nelder are happy to create virtual previews of artwork if you send them a picture of your space.