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.

Catalog of Commissioned Portraits
Title / Description Medium Year
Family Portrait Family Portrait

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 Canvas2010
Photo Booth Realism Photo Booth Realism

A surreal family portrait. Based on images taken in a photo booth at a carnival.

Oil on Canvas2009
Master Nishiyama Master Nishiyama

Portrait of Master Nishiyama.

Graphite Pencil2009
Sensei Fusaro Sensei Fusaro

Portrait of Karate Sensei Robert Fusaro, whose dojo is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Graphite Pencil2009
Dave and Joyce Dave and Joyce

Commissioned portrait of couple at son's wedding.

Oil on Canvas2009
Master Nishiyama 2 Master Nishiyama 2

2nd portrait of Karate master Nishiyama.

Graphite Pencil2009
The Cowboy The Cowboy

Commissioned portrait done in old west attire. Wanted to create a vintage feel of the old west.

Oil on Canvas2009
Portrait of a Family Portrait of a Family

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 Pencil2009
Iron Flight Iron Flight

Commissioned portrait of Paul F. Dye. Current Lead Flight Director of NASA. Shown with his homebuilt airplane "Valkyrie".

Oil on Canvas2008
City Spectrum City Spectrum

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 Pencil2008
Rachel Rachel

Commissioned portrait created by using an existing black and white photo of the subject taken 20 years earlier.

Oil on Canvas2008
Past and Present Past and Present

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 Pencil2008
Siblings Siblings

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 Pencil2008
Twins Twins

A portrait of two smiling young girls wearing coveralls and striped shirts. In graphite pencil.

Graphite Pencil2007
Gavin Gavin

Cheerful portrait of a bubbly young boy. In graphite pencil.

Graphite Pencil2007
#42 in Crimson #42 in Crimson

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 Canvas2007
Man at Arms Man at Arms

Portrait of a Renaissance-era soldier in pot helmet and chain mail.

Oil on Canvas2007
Duet Duet

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 Canvas2007
In Balance In Balance

Portrait of a girl (Tess) on her Unicycle.

Oil on Canvas2007
Iraqi Soldier Iraqi Soldier

Commissioned work of an Iraqi soldier in the desert

Oil on Canvas2007
Mother and Child Mother and Child

Portrait of young mother and her baby.

Graphite Pencil2006
Tortoise Tortoise

Commissioned portrait of a pet tortoise named Angus.

Graphite Pencil2006
Garden View Garden View

Renaissance man on balcony overlooking garden. Created using 20 year old photo. Background was added in separately.

Color Pencil2006
Garden Gnome Garden Gnome

Renaissance man crouches by stream confronted by a little man. Created using photo supplied by client, taken in his back yard.

Color Pencil2006
Harry and Aggie Harry and Aggie

Portrait of older couple. Created using a pre-existing photo.

Color Pencil2006
Wedding Couple Wedding Couple

Portrait of newlyweds at Renaissance Faire.

Graphite Pencil2006
Julie Julie

Semi nude with shawl at piano. Created using a photo of wife supplied by the customer.

Color Pencil2005
Baby in Blanket Baby in Blanket

Baby smiling under a blanket. Created using photo supplied by the client.

Color Pencil2005
Wedding 1959 Wedding 1959

Portrait of wedding couple from 1959.

Graphite Pencil2005
Renaissance Man Renaissance Man

Portrait of renaissance man with pie hat.

Graphite Pencil2005
Garden Path Garden Path

Renaissance maiden stands on a path through the garden. Created using an older photo of client and then adding in a new background.

Prints of “Garden Path” are available!

Color Pencil2005
Audrey Audrey

Portrait of young girl

Graphite Pencil2005
Sisters Sisters

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 Pencil2005
King George King George

Portrait of the King of the Minnesota Renaissance Festival.

This original artwork (" high x " wide) is available for purchase. Contact us!

Graphite Pencil2005
Grandson Grandson

Portrait of young child

Graphite Pencil2005
Grandfather Grandfather

Portrait of older man

Graphite Pencil2005
Professor Professor

Portrait of a professor from St. Thomas University in Saint Paul, MN.

Color Pencil2004
St. George St. George

Portrait of a man in Renaissance dress.

Color Pencil2003
Renaissance Wedding Renaissance Wedding

Wedding couple in renaaissance dress.

Graphite Pencil2003

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