Greetings from Philadelphia

[Garth Herrick]

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!