Unveiling spotlights a recently completed portrait commission or figurative work from some of the best and most active members of the Portrait Society of America. This month, Kimberly Azzarito, Assistant Director of the Portrait Society, interviewed Kyle Keith about his recently completed portrait commission of Senator Robert Jones Portman.

Unveiling

The Portrait: A Surprise Gift for Senator Portman

By Kimberly Azzarito

Portraits have long been treasured as timeless representations of individuals, capturing their essence and leaving an indelible mark in history. Among the distinguished artists in this field, Kyle Keith stands out for his exceptional talent and ability to evoke a strong sense of presence in his paintings. He recently had the honor of presenting a surprise gift to Senator Robert Portman of Ohio, from the National Park Foundation in Washington, D.C.

Kyle Keith, Senator Portman Kayaking the Cuyahoga, oil on linen, 22 x 28"

The inspiration behind the portrait’s composition came with a unique challenge. The gift-giver wanted the subject to be painted on a smaller scale than the artist’s usual style, giving it more of a feel of a genre painting than a traditional portrait. Keith was inspired by Senator Portman’s passion for preserving Ohio’s natural rivers and his love for the outdoors, so he portrayed him kayaking on a beautiful, pristine river near the senator’s home.

Keith’s portfolio includes a wide range of official portraits commissioned by esteemed institutions like Dartmouth College, the University of California, Berkeley; and Boston College of Law, to federal judges across the United States. His versatility extends beyond academia, having also painted portraits of actors, authors and playwrights for The Players club in New York City.

Currently, the artist is at work on an array of fascinating projects, including a portrait of the founding dean of the school of nursing at University of California, Irvine. Also in progress is an impressive portrait of a federal judge from a Minnesota court, Keith’s second commission for this courthouse.

When asked about the elements that transform a portrait into a true work of art, the artist speaks passionately, “For me personally, I am very aware of the painting as an object. In other words, its inherent qualities which separate it from other art forms. Not only is it important that the painting has the strong feeling of the sitter’s likeness and an understanding of their personality, but I find I am aiming for a particular presence in the painting, a resonance. For me this has nothing to do with its appearance in reproduction but more how it is experienced as a physical painting.”

Regarding trends and changes in commissioned portraiture, the artist remarks, “The arena of commissioned portraiture has tended to remain steady. It is in many respects a tradition and a distinct niche, and surprisingly I have not seen that lessen even during difficult times. I think that speaks to the desire clients will always have for works that are unique and produced by the individual artist. A recent trend in my own work is an increase in requests from private individuals for watercolors and works that would be of a looser nature.”

The surprise gift of the portrait to Senator Portman by the National Park Foundation is an excellent example of the artist’s exceptional talent to capture the essence of his subject while creating an appealing work of art. —