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Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA. The art school I attended. I returned there a few years ago and took a night course in Head Painting which inspired me to do portraits.

The Academy of the South Side, Pittsburgh, PA. Late and lamented! Started by three friends, two of whom graduated from Art Center, this little school offered great classes in traditional drawing and oil painting. I spent many hours there drawing and painting since my return to Pittsburgh.

Panza Art Gallery, Millvale, PA. Late and lamented! Mark Panza not only had a nice gallery, but also hosted weekly life drawing and portrait painting sessions. I miss it!

The Portrait Institute, a group founded by John Howard Sanden, the author of Portrait Painting from Life In 29 Steps, and an excellent traditional portrait painter.

Alice Neel, a huge inspiration to me and one of the best expressionist portrait artists ever. In college when I was looking for an internship with a New York artist for a semester-long Arts Program in New York, I went to her apartment and tried to convince her to take me on as an assistant. She turned me down but was kind enough to critique my drawings. I ended up apprenticing with the comic book and advertising artist Neal Adams, which set me on a career path as a commercial artist.

Everett Raymond Kinstler, one of my favorite old-school portrait artists who used to teach seminars at the Art Students League in New York City. The Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh has at least one of his portraits in their permanent collection.

Wendy Bennett Fine Art Paper Conservation, the  place to go for the conservation of your paper-based artwork. I’ve used their services for years.

David Coulson Quality Commercial Art, the website for my freelance business of commercial art.