The holidays are suddenly appearing on the highway horizon in the rear view mirror like a heavy-footed Floridian driver on the move—getting closer, faster, and before you know it, right up on you tailing your behind. If you’re feeling totally scrambled and baffled on what to get the loved ones yet to be crossed off your list, consider an incredibly personal and unexpected gift this giving season. Chasen Galleries is offering an exclusive opportunity for the holidays to have hand-painted portraits of loved ones done by Conceptual and Commission Portrait artist Dirce Kennedy. Portraiture came to Dirce through years of travel, drawing, painting and study. Her Conceptual portraits are always concept first—allowing the subjects’ inner self to unfold the narrative. Her Commissioned portraits are not simply faces painted on canvas either, but rather reveal the subject’s inner spirit and soul, impart their individuality and create a piece that will be cherished now and for generations to come. 

With over 10 solo exhibitions under her belt, and even more juried show awards, plus collections spread worldwide, a personalized oil-painting portrait by Dirce may be the unwrapped present under the tree most coveted. “Normally, Dirce paints oil portraits that take approximately 3-4 months to complete and cost in the thousands,” shares Richard Kennedy of Chasen Galleries. “But the joy of giving, the excitement of sitting at the artist's studio, sharing the painting with family and friends, knowing that you can continue to connect with your future generations and realizing how she loves the challenge of capturing a likeness in oil,” he says, enticed Dirce to abridge the cost and experience into a 3-hour portrait special.

So whether it’s for your handsome hubby, a hard-to-please in-law, a quirky friend, your newborn nephew, goofy dad or adorable grandmother, a gift this thoughtful and admiring will blow anyone away. A commissioned 14"H x 11"W gallery wrapped canvas oil-painted artist's representation is priced at $600 for a 3-hour session. Reservations are limited. Contact the gallery to check on availability: andrew@chasengalleries.com / 941-260-5787.

Photos courtesy of Chasen Galleries.