Custom Oil Portrait Paintings
Portrait Artist Marvin Mattelson
Great portraits go far beyond a likeness.
It’s not enough to create a picture that merely looks like someone. The real challenge is creating a painting that comes to life.
Marvin Mattelson believes that the greatest portraits are a perfect synthesis of technical skill, keen observation, and meaningful decision-making..
They emerge through hundreds of subtle adjustments involving light, pose, gesture, expression, color, composition, edges, and symbolism. When these elements are thoughtfully orchestrated, something remarkable begins to happen. The painting no longer feels like paint on a canvas. It takes on a life of its own.
The greater Marvin’s sense of the person, the more meaningful and authentic the final portrait becomes. For that reason, he wants to know as much as possible about the individual he is painting.
His portraits are created for individuals, families, institutions, executives, professionals, and private collectors seeking portraits that resonate on a deeper level.
Every portrait is an exciting challenge. The artistic solution emerges not from a preconceived formula, but from his sense of the individual’s character and identity.
A portrait is an heirloom to be cherished for generations.
It becomes part of a family’s story, quietly preserving the people, relationships, and memories that matter most. Long after the original moment has passed, the portrait remains.
For that reason, choosing the right artist is about more than commissioning a painting. It is about creating something worthy of being lived with, treasured, and passed from one generation to the next.
The finest portraits do more than record appearances. They preserve the bonds between people and the stories that connect them. Over time, they become lasting reminders of family history, heritage, and shared experience.
For Marvin, one of the greatest privileges of portrait painting is creating works that will continue to have meaning for children, grandchildren, and generations yet to come.
Every portrait presents a unique opportunity.
To Marvin, repetition is the antithesis of creativity. His worst nightmare? A website where all of his paintings looked the same!
Since no two people are alike, why should their portraits be?
Some portraits call for restraint while others call for symbolism. Some are intimate and understated while others are ambitious in scope and complexity. His goal is to never repeat a formula, but to discover the most compelling and appropriate solution for the individual being portrayed.
Every element within a portrait needs to be purposeful and contribute to the final statement. Whether the solution is simple or elaborate, each decision should support the larger vision of the painting.
This continual search for new and meaningful solutions is what keeps portrait painting exciting for Marvin. He believes artists should innovate rather than imitate, allowing every portrait to become a distinct and memorable work of art.
First and foremost, a portrait should be a beautiful work of art.
Marvin Mattelson approaches every portrait with that larger goal in mind. The painting must stand on its own as a work of fine art—something visually compelling, thoughtfully composed, and worthy of being lived with and cherished.
One of Marvin’s clients, Steve Fishbach, called him and said, “You’re not going to believe this.” A leak from the apartment above had been flooding his kitchen, and a plumbing crew rushed in to address the problem. After assessing the damage, they turned around to retrieve their tools.
The moment they saw the painting of his mother, Sylvia @ 17, they stopped cold, standing there transfixed while he desperately pleaded, “Please fix the leak! You can come back and look at the painting anytime.”
That reaction illustrates an important principle. Great works of art command attention. They invite people to stop, look, and engage. Whether the composition is simple or complex, every element should contribute to a unified visual statement.
For Marvin, a portrait succeeds when it possesses the power to stop people in their tracks and reward them for looking.
A successful portrait begins with a meaningful conversation
You probably have questions. What should the portrait say? How large should it be? Formal or informal? Simple or complex? Traditional or contemporary?
The process begins with clarification.
Marvin Mattelson believes that the strongest portraits emerge through direct communication between himself and his clients. From your initial inquiry to the final brushstroke, he and he alone will work directly with you every step of the way.
There are no intermediaries to deal with. Nothing is lost in translation because the person listening to your ideas and guiding you is the artist himself.
His goal is not simply to discuss the portrait, but to help you discover the most compelling solution. Through direct communication, ideas become clearer, possibilities emerge, and a stronger vision begins to take shape.
At that point, the focus shifts from clarification to manifestation. This is where the magic happens. This is where Marvin’s creative juices flow in order to find the most compelling way to bring your vision into reality and create something you never imagined possible.
A great portrait goes far beyond a likeness.
One day my family's portrait will be hanging in the Mattelson Room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
You have created the most flattering image of me...ever!
Chairman - Velcro Industries
I've never seen another painting, whether in a gallery or in a museum, that can rival the beauty of my Mom's portrait. When people see it they are bedazzled!
