A portrait commission is a collaboration between artist and subject, and portraiture by Sheila McGraw displays not only a likeness, but empathy for the subject’s personality; not just how they look, but the ephemeral quality of how they are.

 Sheila McGraw, a member of The Portrait Society of America, paints both traditional portraits, and portraits which are the melding of two classic treatments in a groundbreaking approach. These uniquely composed portraits consist of a full-length figure and a close-up. One of the aspects depicts their posture and personality, their surroundings and possessions. The second view focuses on their facial features and expression. Care is taken for the two depictions to complement each other in size, color and composition. Harmony is achieved by rendering the views in different styles such as impressionism alongside the traditional masters’ style, or by using different perspectives or media --  such as charcoal, pastel or graphite -- side-by-side with oils.