“From the beginning, I believed there would be a vibrant call in the Midwest for classic fine art portraiture … And I discovered there is!”     

– Kathleen Van Ella

Primary Source

Fine Portrait Painting and Sculpture

Founding Portraits/Chicago Inc. in 1980, I have represented fine portrait painters and sculptors. Especially I wished to assist the client in achieving a cherished idea – that is, a unique portrait for family, corporate or public space.

My service includes marketing and sales for artists, and handling the business details of a proposed commission. I can help make the finding of an artist for a particular job … simple.

The benefits of dealing with Portraits/Chicago Inc. are several, i.e. the opportunity for discreet, upfront choosing of the Artist, artistic style, and price range desired for a project, large or small. There is no up-charge for a portrait commissioned through Portraits/Chicago Inc. Artists and Agent maintain the same price list.

I invite you to contact me for conversation and information on how to commission a portrait.

Mr/Mrs Jerome and Leslie Blair

oil on canvas
detail of larger canvas including children
60″x90″, 2005
by Bruno Surdo

Mark Twain

vintage
oil on stretched canvas
30″x24″
by Linda Kollacks

Here’s looking at you kid …

graphite on paper
10″x8″
private family collection
by Sally Baker Keller

Warner Saunders

Collection of Chicago Newscasters
oil on linen
48″x41″, 2009
by Ann Ponce

Kathleen Van Ella,

Founder of Portraits/Chicago Inc.,

is an art consultant who works in close association with Clients and Artists in commissioning and placing artworks.

Utilizing her background in interior design and teaching, she is an able contributor to all forms of site-specific tasks, traditional or contemporary, for the visual arts. She has participated in nine international art exhibitions.