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After four long years focusing on fine art school, I'm so excited to be able to offer commissioned portraits, pet portraits, and custom paintings again. The process of commissioning a portrait painting with me begins with a free personal consultation. During this first meeting we will discuss image style preferences, the desired pose, framing, and where the finished artwork will hang in you house. In order to get a good likeness, I will also try to get to know my sitter either through this first interview or from the process of painting from life. Communication is key for us to find a way of creating a family heirloom and oil portrait that will be cherished for generations. The custom oil painting will be a shared vision between you, the subject being painted, and my artistic interpretation. As a portrait artist, I consider my sitter and clients to be full partners in the portrait commission process.
Being the portrait painter that I am means that I believe all people should have the opportunity of being seen, heard, and reflected back in a compassionate artistic manner. I've had many portrait sitters express how they felt validated and empowered through the process of sitting then viewing their painted portrait. ~Tali
A custom portrait and oil painting by Talya Johnson is created using strictly professional grade artist pigments (oil paint) on archival papers, board canvas, or linen to ensure the longevity of the artwork.
Before committing to the commission process, I will ask my client or person being painted to review my portrait gallery in detail to ensure they are familiar with my work, art style and general aesthetic. There is a 50% non-refundable deposit due after our initial consultation, and before our photo session. I will make sure our agreement and time-table is in writing and that I have a good photograph of my subject in hand. If you are supplying me with your own photo for reference, rather than having me complete the photography, I will need a copyright release from the original photographer. The remainder of the deposit is due upon approval of the official portrait, prior to delivery. In general, a small oil painting will take anywhere from 4-6 weeks to finish. The completed portrait the needs 6-8 weeks to dry.
Full-color paintings are painted on hardboard, or choice of canvas or linen mounted on hardboard. Sketches and duotones are painted on media specific paper. A color study, drawing, and all small casual portrait paintings include the following:
Free 30 minute consultation
Single head and shoulder portrait with a simple background, working from customer high resolution photographs
Minimum for a small portrait or custom painting painted from life is $500 and includes a 2-hour sitting.
Free US shipping. International shipping 15% of painting cost plus duty tax.
For live sittings, artist travel within the Portland, Oregon TriMet area included.
Duatone/Study prices for oil, charcoal or pastel: 6x8 inches $350, 9x12 inches $480, 12x16 inches $750
Full-Color for oil and pastel: 6x8 inches $350, 9x12 inches $650, 12x16 inches $1150
Medium portraits and custom painting are painted in oils or pastels on hardboard or stretched canvas/linen and include the following:
Free 30-minute consultation
3-hour sitting (these can be broken up into two different sittings) or a photo session
Single head and shoulders to half-length portrait including hands if desired
More detailed environment/background.
Free shipping to US. International shipping 12% of painting cost plus duty tax.
Artist travel within the Portland, Oregon TriMet. *Artist travel expenses to outside Portland TriMet will be added to price.
16x20 inches starting at $1920
18x24 Inches starting at $2390
Larger works and custom painting are painted in oils or pastels on hardboard or stretched canvas/linen and include the following:
Free one hour consultation
3-hour sitting (these can be broken up into two different sittings) and a photoshoot
Single three-quarter portrait to full length portrait including hands and feet if desired
Specific detailed environment/background
Free shipping to US. International shipping 10% of painting cost plus duty tax.
Artist travel within the Portland, Oregon TriMet. *Artist travel expenses to outside Portland TriMet will be added to price.
24x36 inches starting at $4300
30x40 inches starting at $5400
Many of Tali's portrait sitters have expressed how the intimate process of being painted was profoundly therapeutic. The portrait session is usually relaxing and self-affirming. Tali is uniquely committed to making commissioned portraits affordable and accessible. Her roll as a portraitist takes in many forms depending on the needs of her sitters. Indeed she’s inspired by concepts embedded within the study of sociology, anthropology, and psychology: “As I listen to these extraordinary women and men tell their life stories, I play many roles. I am a mirror that reflects back their pain, their fears, and their victories. I am also the inquirer who asks the sometimes difficult questions, who searches for evidence and patterns. I am the companion on the journey, bringing my own story to the encounter, making possible an interpretive collaboration. I am the audience who listens, laughs, weeps, and applauds. I am the spider woman spinning their tales. Occasionally, I am the therapist who offers catharsis, support, and challenge, and who keeps track of emotional minefields. Most absorbing to me is the role of the human archaeologist who uncovers the layers of mask and inhibition in search of a more authentic representation of life experience!” ~Sarah Lawrence-Lightfoot
Community Remains was part of a virtual online exhibition at Disjecta Contemporary Art Center fo Pacific Northwest College of Art and Oregon College of Art and Craft (now closed).
Read the thesis in a four part blog series. The display includes Tali’s insightful self portrait that exudes the contemporary perspective of a woman artist.
Formally a graphic designer and illustrator, visual artist Talya Johnson (Tali) is a fine art modern impressionist oil painter living in the Pacific Northwest. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC) and Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) which is located in the Portland Oregon Pearl District of Portland. Tali's original contemporary art is largely figurative (though she also offers abstract art or abstract painting) and stylistically influenced by both Modern Impressionism and traditional Academic Realism. Ever vibrant, her colorful works of art are poignant and painterly accounts of her unique contemporary perspective. Whether creating an oil portrait, modern still life, or abstract landscape with a palette knife or sculpture, Tali believes in recording only what she herself has experienced first hand. Painting and drawing from life whenever possible she imbues her original artworks with a liminal dream-like quality that dances between realism and idealism.
Tali offers her original artworks for sale at reasonable prices, believing that original work should always be accessible to any art lover. Her passionate commitment to provide affordable art is unique amongst art gallery and independent artists alike instilling a sense of authenticity to all her artwork. Filled with color and light, Tali's original artwork, commissioned portraits, fine art prints, wall art, and unique home decor designs are cherished around the world by numerous art collectors. Believing that every artist should have access to creative expression, she enjoys mentoring beginning artists in traditional art techniques, teaching fine art classes, as well as digital photo-editing and self-marketing skills necessary for today's art world.
Talya is a member of several long-standing art organizations including Oregon Society of Artists, American impressionist Society, and Portrait Society of America.
Simply put, Talya Johnson makes art that will withstand the test of time. The enduring nature of pastel and original oil painting long interested this fine artist who is conceptually driven by idea of heirlooms and artifacts as an integral component to humanity's cultural evolution. A true artisan, her passion for her contemporary craft includes all the essential elements associated with commitment to quality: education from the best sources and artists (both formal and self-guided), attention to detail, years of honing her craft through trial and error, and a tenacious dedication to both the form, function and longevity of her works. In 2019 Tali had the privilege of studying Art Conservation in Florence Italy as part of her fine arts degree and to ensure her oil painting technique is modeled after time-honored traditional methods. While in art school Tali enjoyed experimenting with materials, and unconventional multi-media techniques, she only uses archival components for her fine art paintings original artwork for sale.Tali's fine artist ground substrates include linen, cotton canvas, hardboard, and 100% cotton rag papers. She uses adhesives that are always reversible. Known for her almost obsessive regard for color, Tali researches her pigments carefully to make sure she only uses lightfast oil paint that will remain saturated and vivid for decades to come.While primarily creating paintings alla prima (a wet into wet approach) Talya practices "fat over lean" when her works call for layering. This gives the painting surface needed flexibility that can withstand normal temperature and humidity variations. Her original oil paintings are finished with a synthetic varnish that does not yellow over time, and can be easily removed by conservators. Any art buyer can rest assured that when you purchase an original oil painting or commissioned portrait from Talya Johnson, you are acquiring an a lovingly crafted work of art that will be treasured for many generations to come, inscribing your own footprint into the annals of history.
