Greetings from Philadelphia

Garth Herrick · 03-16-2004, 07:50 PM

Hi everyone,

My name is Garth Herrick, and at 46, I am beginning to get by as a full time portrait painter here in Philadelphia, after more than 20 years of portrait commissions. I have also begun sculpting portraits. I always felt encouraged to explore as an artist while growing up, and my first portrait commissions were in pastel when I was about 10. In my early twenties, I attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, receiving a Cresson Traveling Scholarship in 1984, and a certificate in 1985.

Between 1988 and 1991 I was engaged as the sculptor of the world's largest bronze horse in Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, in an airline pilot's life-end dream to re-create the unfinished for 500+ years Sforza equestrian monument of Leonardo da Vinci. Well, I got this sculpture off to a very good start, but another sculptor finished the 24 foot tall horse that was unveiled in Milan in 1999. Returning to painting after such an immersion into sculpture was difficult, but I have persisted.

Along the way I married my PAFA sweetheart Jilliann, and we have a daughter Lachlan 7, who is apparently doubly endowed with art genes.

Anyway, I am embarrassed to admit I was unaware of the vast resources and vital artist community present in this forum until I stumbled upon it yesterday! And wow, do I feel humble in the presense of all the amazing talents here. There is much that I hope to learn in this forum from everyone, and there are probably a couple tips I can share too. I am looking forward to everyone's unveilings, critiques, and experiences. This is a great forum and I am honored to be included here as a new member.

I will attach a couple of pictures of my more accomplished work. The First is the official portrait of Mayor Edward G. Rendell, who has since become our state's governor. This is oil on linen, 50" x 38" in size, to blend in with all the other mayor's portraits hung since 1701. The second image is a terracotta sculpture of a three-year old subject. Any type of feedback is welcome. Thanks!

SB Wang · 03-16-2004, 08:12 PM

Welcome to you, Garth:

Very nice! My brother and one of SOG member were from Temple University.

Please tell us something about what you've gained at Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Mike McCarty · 03-16-2004, 08:20 PM

Garth,

The Governor was instantly recognizable, what a terrific painting. I think that kid lives just down the street.

Welcome to the forum.

Kimberly Dow · 03-16-2004, 09:49 PM

Welcome - I love that portrait and especially the background.

Garth Herrick · 03-16-2004, 10:54 PM

Thanks everyone,

SB: Who is the other SOG member from Temple (Tyler School of Art)? I know little about Tyler, but many artist friends and co-workers studied there. I have to confess it was love at first sight at PAFA. I actually first fell in love Frank Furness's amazing architectural masterpiece of 1876. Gradually I realized the instruction was pretty good too. Arthur deCosta was the main instructor who was upholding the legacy of Thomas Eakins as well as all the extant knowledge of the old masters. I think he taught me more than any instructor, and I was one of his esteemed disciples until he perceived that I was defecting to the modern camp. Anyway, this May 7, with the opening of the annual student thesis show, Arthur deCosta will be receiving the Academy's top honors along with a retrospective exhibit at the Woodmere Museum of Art .

Mike: Thanks! I may not realize how recognizable Ed Rendell is outside of Pennsyvania, although he is enormously popular here. The thing is his campaign staff usurped the reference photo I had taken of him and used it 10 million times over in campaign literature. So when the portrait was finally unveiled, there was no real shock or surprise because it already was a familiar household iconic image in Pennsylvania, just like Lincoln on a penny!

Kim, thanks too! The background was an element I added to fit, since my reference picture was taken in Rendell's campaign office with a plain white wall.

Garth

Michele Rushworth · 03-16-2004, 11:38 PM

We're delighted to have you on board, Garth, and look forward to many postings from you!

Garth Herrick · 03-16-2004, 11:43 PM

Thank You Michele, I know I could gain a lot from the business practices forum you moderate.

Garth

Mike McCarty · 03-17-2004, 12:00 AM

Garth,

In the way of cyber introduction, we have another friend who frequents this forum who is a pretty nifty scultor, Heidi Maiers at this link : http://portrait-sculpture.com/

Garth Herrick · 03-17-2004, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike McCarty

Garth,

In the way of cyber introduction, we have another friend who frequents this forum who is a pretty nifty scultor, Heidi Maiers at this link : http://portrait-sculpture.com/

Thanks Mike, I think her work is pretty nifty too. I am curious about her revolutionary methods of working in her E-book ad.

I also hope to be a positive contribution to your digital photography forum. I'm using the Nikon D100 and I think its one of the best choices for serious digital reference photos. Does anyone else use a digital slr?

Garth

Mike McCarty · 03-17-2004, 12:32 AM

Garth,

I'm pretty sure that Morgan Weistling uses a D100.

I am still shooting film but am on the verge of doing the digital. The one that's in the running for me is the new Nikon D70 slr due out in a couple of weeks. A bit of an upgrade of the D100 and at a slightly more reasonable price. The body goes for $999 and a kit price with a very nice lens for $1200 I think. An interesting comparison chart at this link : Nikon D70