PORTRAITS | COMMISSIONS

Contemporary artist Elizabeth R. Whelan paints our world in all its complexity. Working from her studio on the island of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts, Whelan creates distinctive fine art paintings that will last generations.

Contact Elizabeth Whelan

Elizabeth R. Whelan: The Value of a Portrait

Seeing art in person can be a life-changing experience, both humbling and inspiring.
And in any art museum, portraits are everywhere: in every style, color, and size, from every country and created by every type of artist.

In a portrait's brushstrokes we find a path connecting us to another human on a timeless level.

Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, van Gogh and Rembrandt's many self-portraits, these are just a few of the well-known portraits that have come down to us through the ages. Their popularity is testimony to the power and value of capturing personality, character, and aspect, on canvas.

Oil paint captures the living qualities of the human face and body like no other medium. Skillfully handled, the portrait transcends technique and draws the viewer in, and a single artist creates a treasure for us all.

The Painting Commission Process

Commissioning a portrait or other painting is a significant moment, and Elizabeth Whelan makes the process straightforward and enjoyable.
Portrait Process
Commissioning and sitting for a portrait is an exciting and unique experience.
Portrait Fees
A guide to portrait fees, which are based on factors including the size and complexity of the painting.
Other Commissions
Elizabeth Whelan also paints nautical and coastal subjects, landscapes, still life, as well as animals.
Visit the artist's studio
Working from her studio on Martha's Vineyard, Elizabeth paints and draws daily. Art is the foundation of her life.
What her clients say:
Your talent and love and generosity make the painting shine and we are very grateful that you hold us gently at a moment in our lives and in a place that we all love dearly.
portrait painting testimonial elizabeth whelan

Mother of family Martha's Vineyard

Thank you so much...We think it looks amazing and beautiful and really captures [our retiring CEO].
portrait painting testimonial elizabeth whelan

US luxury jewelry company New York City

The portrait of [father] exceeds our expectations. You must hear this from all your happy clients. Each day we enjoy another aspect of it.
painting testimonial elizabeth whelan

Family of portrait subject Martha's Vineyard

My portrait was unveiled this a.m. You are a true genius and master! ...Thank you again for all you did and because of you, it was truly painless.
portrait painting testimonial elizabeth whelan

Retired doctor, surgeon New York City

If you plan on being a working artist, keeping inventory records is an essential component of your business. When I started painting, the idea that I would someday have an inventory that needed managing seemed rather remote. It really wasn't until I first started putting work in shows, and selling work, that I realized how important it would be. Almost immediately upon my entering work into multiple physical exhibitions, things got confusing.

There are a lot of art inventory methods out there and I am not going to pretend I evaluated them all, I did not! I happily fell into using Artwork Archive about seven years after I started painting -- just enough time to have quite a lot of work to add. Over the past years the developers at Artwork Archive keep adding features, which serve to make my business run much more smoothly.

Inventory tracking systems aren't a substitute for a good website and well-organized personal files on your computer! So do get organized, and get some sort of repeatable system under control. No matter which method you settle on -- even if you start by keeping lists, or a spreadsheet -- track your work. Give it a name, write down the dimensions and medium, the price, and give it an inventory number (especially if you use inventive names like 'Untitled I'!)

And record that same information in some fashion on the back of your work, to close the loop!