Merriam Webster dictionary defines a “conversation piece” in art as, “a painting of a group of persons in their customary surroundings”. In art history, it was a style of group portraiture that became popular in the 18th Century, along side Grand Manner portraiture. With this painting I combined a bit of both approaches in honoring Phil and Lisa Dubois. Read More
My portrait of Ron was inspired by his incredible work ethic and hands-on attitude! Read More
It is a Sewanee tradition for the Vice-Chancellor to be painted wearing the red cloak with ermine trim that is seen in this painting. Knowing that his attire was decided upon, our main challenge was to choose a setting for the portrait. Read More
When I arrived to Richmond for this portrait sitting and first met Bishop Shannon, we discussed the details of which vestments and objects he wished to have included in his portrait, where the portrait was likely to hang and the choice of setting that he would like to be depicted in. Read More
It was quite an honor to be the artist chosen to paint the official portrait of Ohio Governor John Kasich. The Ohio Statehouse displays an impressive collection of portraits honoring its governors and it was my goal to create a unique addition to that collection. Read More
Having grown up in Columbia, in a neighborhood adjacent to the University of South Carolina, I frequently found the campus to be my playground. I was, therefore, especially honored in being chosen to paint the double portrait of current President Harris Pastides and his beautiful and accomplished wife, Patricia Moore-Pastides, and to be able to stage the portrait at the historic President’s House on the Horseshoe. Read More
When I was first contacted to paint the official portrait of Dr. William Muller for Northwestern University, I immediately imagined all of the artistic possibilities of capturing an accomplished research scientist at work in his unique world – a scientific lab. I was thrilled to learn upon our very first conversation that this was also Dr. Muller’s vision for his portrait. Read More
As an admirer of Grand Manner and historical portraits, I depicted Senator Leatherman in a classic statesmanlike pose while standing in front of the raised bench and the gavel used to call to order the Senate, which represents his position of leadership and role as President Pro Tempore. He is shown reaching out presenting the rendering of the new Ports Authority Terminal to the Senate and to the viewer in the foreground, thereby leading one’s eye right into the painting. Read More
Our conception began with Janet’s choice to be portrayed in the vibrant purple dress one sees in the painting, while also wearing a colorful art broach from an Asheville art gallery and a pair of green malachite earrings. Read More
I first met Costa at the official portrait unveiling for his predecessor, The Hon. Jean H. Toal, where he was also being celebrated as the newly elected Chief Justice. Read More
The N.C. Bar Center was filled to capacity on Thursday, Oct. 27, for the presentation of the portrait of Allan B. Head, who is retiring at the end of the year after 43 years of service to the North Carolina Bar Association, including the past 35 years as executive director. Read More
When I was contacted by Roddey Dowd, Jr. regarding my painting his portrait, and also that of his cousin, Frank, for Charlotte Pipe and Foundry’s substantial art collection, I was immediately excited about the artistic possibilities for capturing each of them in a portrait that could depict their day to day world. Read More
The artistic conception for the official portrait of Judge Robert J. Conrad, Jr. began after a search around the federal courthouse in Charlotte NC while observing the natural lighting in various locations. Read More
My conception for a portrait of Chief Justice Jean Toal took shape after having several meetings with both her and her colleague, Joan Assey. Together we enjoyed a thorough review of the South Carolina Supreme Court’s portrait collection of Justices. A vision for this new portrait quickly grew from there and I thought to create a dramatic statement about the strength, wisdom, and sense of personal presence necessary to have earned the distinction of being the first female ever to be elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. Read More
As the first female governor of South Carolina, a stately and elegant gesture was chosen with the Governor wearing the exact white silk suit worn in her televised address during the Republican National Convention in 2012. With a keen eye, the viewer will also see that the Governor is wearing her favorite lapel pin depicting the dual flags, side by side, of The United States of America and the state of South Carolina. Read More
The privately funded official portrait of NC Governor Beverly (Bev) Eaves Perdue was formally unveiled at a ceremony held at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh in December in recognition of her service as the 73rd governor of the state of North Carolina. Although the NC Department of Cultural Resources considered portrait artists located nationally, Charlotte based artist John Seibels Walker was honored with being chosen for the project. Read More
The Lt. Governor’s lifelong love of the Lowcountry and the outdoors prompted the idea of using a landscape setting as the backdrop for his figure in the portrait. I felt that a scene with palmetto trees would be particularly indicative of the Lowcountry as his home. My conception quickly grew to include the point of departure of the Hunley from Sullivan’s Island and the inclusion of the crescent moon to the side of the palmetto trees was used in representation of the motif of the SC state flag. Read More
More than 100 alumni, community members, students and faculty gathered in the UNC School of Law Graham Kenan Courtroom last month to view the unveiling of a portrait of the Honorable Henry E. Frye ’59. The portrait is a gift of the UNC School of Law Class of 2013 and was painted by John Seibels Walker. Read More
This life-size oil portrait of Liza was commissioned by Columbus School for Girls in Columbus Ohio in recognition of her recent tenure as Head of School. I strove to represent Liza’s very vibrant and dynamic personality by capturing her frequent smile and by alluding to a sense of action in her pose. Read More
The conception for my portrait of Kent developed initially out of the preference he had for being depicted in an outdoor springtime setting on the beautiful campus of Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. Read More
John Seibels Walker portraits in situ. Read More
This past Christmas Eve, Jennifer O’Brien received a most precious gift. It was a painted portrait of her five-year-old son, Nathan. “The holidays were very hard,” says the mother of the little boy who went missing along with his grandparents last summer. “But when I saw the painting, it was like Nathan came home to us for Christmas.” Read More