Portfolio: Commissioned Portraits by Zahradka Art
Throughout history — long before photography — it was painting and drawing that kept memories alive for future generations. Portraits painted hundreds of years ago are still admired today in museums and homes all around the world. A hand drawn or painted work of art is a beautiful way to commemorate a special event or time. Celebrate a wedding, an anniversary, a beautiful outfit, a child at a special time of life, or a favorite pet.
This list of artworks is sortable — click on the header to sort the list! Larger images of all artworks are available. Click on the thumbnails for more information.
Title / Description | Medium | Year |
---|---|---|
![]() Oil on canvas. This painting was requested by the husband after the death of his wife and her many years of Alzheimers. The children then requested he be included as well. We worked from old photos taken when they were both younger. The background was the view on the small lake where they had a cabin. |
Oil on Canvas | 2016 |
![]() Miniature created from existing photograph. Medium is watercolor on imitation ivory |
Watercolor and Gouache | 2016 |
![]() A painting of Suzy created to be a match to my own self portrait. meant to be hung as a set. Again we have created the look of the time period with the subject having the tools of their trade around them. Painting is on linen canvas using hand ground and mixed paints of the time period. |
Oil on Canvas | 2014 |
![]() Drawing created for a client. graphite on bristol |
Graphite Pencil | 2014 |
![]() Portrait for for the Dyna-Graphics corporation in Chaska Minnesota. The paining is of the husband and wife who founded the company, Bill and Dolly Bury and was created for the reception area. |
Oil on Canvas | 2014 |
![]() This is a painting I did of myself in the style of the 18th century artists, shown with my brushes and palette in hand. The painting is done on linen canvas using only hand ground and mixed pigments from the time period. |
Oil on Canvas | 2014 |
![]() This painting is second in a series using decorative shawls. It has been created using all hand ground natural pigments that existed in the 17th century. I hand mulled them myself as well as creating my own paint mediums. |
Oil on Canvas | 2012 |
![]() Drawing created for a client based on several snapshots. |
Graphite Pencil | 2012 |
![]() A commissioned portrait created using an existing photo. Dress and background were changed to create a more historical feel. |
Oil on Canvas | 2011 |
![]() A portrait created using an older off color photo. Shirt extended and added to. Background changed to be more aesthetic. |
Oil on Canvas | 2011 |
![]() A commissioned portrait. For this portrait we were able to have a photo session with the client. We worked to create a more traditional classic look. |
Oil on Canvas | 2011 |
![]() Commissioned portrait of Louise Hose, PhD - Renowned Cave Explorer and Speleologist. Created using several older photos, equipment and location shots. |
Oil on Canvas | 2010 |
![]() This is a family portrait of Senseis Joel and Anita with their daughter Megan. The painting was created using oils on canvas. I created it using photos provided by the client. |
Oil on Canvas | 2010 |
![]() A surreal family portrait. Based on images taken in a photo booth at a carnival. |
Oil on Canvas | 2009 |
Portrait of Master Nishiyama. |
Graphite Pencil | 2009 |
![]() Portrait of Karate Sensei Robert Fusaro, whose dojo is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. |
Graphite Pencil | 2009 |
![]() Commissioned portrait of couple at son's wedding. |
Oil on Canvas | 2009 |
![]() 2nd portrait of Karate master Nishiyama. |
Graphite Pencil | 2009 |
![]() Commissioned portrait done in old west attire. Wanted to create a vintage feel of the old west. |
Oil on Canvas | 2009 |
![]() Portraits done in pencil. A blended family with 5 children into hockey. Taken from a small snapshot and worked into a long linear work of art. |
Graphite Pencil | 2009 |
![]() Commissioned portrait of Paul F. Dye. Current Lead Flight Director of NASA. Shown with his homebuilt airplane "Valkyrie". |
Oil on Canvas | 2008 |
![]() This artworkwas created for a charity auction connected with the 2008 Uptown Art Fair. The theme was "Attitude in the City". It was a collaborative piece created with the help of Vineeta Sawkar from local channel 5 news. |
Color Pencil | 2008 |
![]() Commissioned portrait created by using an existing black and white photo of the subject taken 20 years earlier. |
Oil on Canvas | 2008 |
![]() A Daughter had this commissioned for her father. Using existing photos, we combined two images. The recent photo in the foreground, and an older image of the father as a young man faded in the background. |
Graphite Pencil | 2008 |
![]() Portrait of brother and younger sister. We worked from photos supplied by the parent. Worked to create a feeling of love and caring between the two children |
Graphite Pencil | 2008 |
![]() A portrait of two smiling young girls wearing coveralls and striped shirts. In graphite pencil. |
Graphite Pencil | 2007 |
![]() Cheerful portrait of a bubbly young boy. In graphite pencil. |
Graphite Pencil | 2007 |
![]() Semi-nude woman wrapped in a cream colored cloth and peering over her shoulder in front of a red drapery. Original painting in oils on canvas. |
Oil on Canvas | 2007 |
![]() Portrait of a Renaissance-era soldier in pot helmet and chain mail. |
Oil on Canvas | 2007 |
![]() This painting is a representational portrait. In place of the people we have used their respective musical instruments. Between the instruments is an embroidered red rose and their favorite music is on the sheet. |
Oil on Canvas | 2007 |
![]() Portrait of a girl (Tess) on her Unicycle. |
Oil on Canvas | 2007 |
![]() Commissioned work of an Iraqi soldier in the desert |
Oil on Canvas | 2007 |
![]() Portrait of young mother and her baby. |
Graphite Pencil | 2006 |
![]() Commissioned portrait of a pet tortoise named Angus. |
Graphite Pencil | 2006 |
![]() Renaissance man on balcony overlooking garden. Created using 20 year old photo. Background was added in separately. |
Color Pencil | 2006 |
![]() Renaissance man crouches by stream confronted by a little man. Created using photo supplied by client, taken in his back yard. |
Color Pencil | 2006 |
![]() Portrait of older couple. Created using a pre-existing photo. |
Color Pencil | 2006 |
![]() Portrait of newlyweds at Renaissance Faire. |
Graphite Pencil | 2006 |
![]() Semi nude with shawl at piano. Created using a photo of wife supplied by the customer. |
Color Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Baby smiling under a blanket. Created using photo supplied by the client. |
Color Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of wedding couple from 1959. |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of renaissance man with pie hat. |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Renaissance maiden stands on a path through the garden. Created using an older photo of client and then adding in a new background. |
Color Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of young girl |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of 3 sisters. We were able to have a sitting with these sisters and work with a combination of photos to create the work of art. |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of the King of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. This original artwork (" high x " wide) is available for purchase. Contact us! |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of young child |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of older man |
Graphite Pencil | 2005 |
![]() Portrait of a professor from St. Thomas University in Saint Paul, MN. |
Color Pencil | 2004 |
![]() Portrait of a man in Renaissance dress. |
Color Pencil | 2003 |
![]() Wedding couple in renaaissance dress. |
Graphite Pencil | 2003 |