A. I offer a wide range including character voices, impressions, narration/audio books, commercials, etc.
I also can write the copy and provide creative direction for projects that need it. I record in my own studio
and can deliver the audio in a variety of ways (ftp, email, CD via snail-mail). See the AUDIO page
to hear samples.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes - if you know how. Restoring photos is a learned skill just like dentistry or plumbing. There are many
things to know (color management, ICC profiles, monitor calibration, print resolutions, color theory, anatomy, etc.)
and it all boils down to how nice you want the end result to be versus your budget.
When I restore a photograph that has been damaged, I scan the photo and manipulate it in PhotoShop. I fix the
physical damage, smooth any color variances, adjust the overall color and optimize the clarity and brightness.
It can be time-consuming even for me but this is not mere red-eye removal or airbrushing a mole from a face.
This is a multi-step procedure that restores a photo as closely as possible to its original state.
See the Restoration Page for examples of this.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes, commissioning a portrait is easy. A portrait is a personal and special thing that needs to be done right but
the process of commissioning a portrait will
only take a phone call and a small amount of your time. I like to discuss the details with each client and make sure
that we are in agreement with the desired results. See the ORDERING page for
more details on how to commission a portrait.
Back to the questions...
A. If you are not completely satisfied with your finished portrait within the first two weeks, simply return it to me
in the original packaging
and in the original condition and I will refund your money (minus the deposit). The deposit is non-refundable. If
there is a flaw in workmanship, however, I will fix the flaw at no charge and if it cannot be fixed I will refund the entire
amount or paint a new painting. Refunds are void and null beyond two weeks from the time a customer
receives the finished product. But rest assured - I have never had anyone complain.
Back to the questions...
A. YES! Simmons Studios is now offering color portraits as well as black and white. For an example, see my
tribute to Star Wars which contains a color portrait of Luke Skywalker.
Back to the questions...
A. Since I paint from photographs, you can be sure that the likenesses will be very accurate. However, if you are not
satisfied with the results, just return the portrait within fourteen days in the original packaging and in the original
condition and I will refund your money (minus the deposit).
Back to the questions...
A. The prices I charge are very reasonable considering that many portrait artists charge anywhere from
several thousands of dollars to as high as $30,000
for a portrait! Even though my prices are reasonable,
the amount of detail present in my portraits far exceeds that of many well-known portrait artists' work.
Back to the questions...
A. No. My portraits are all hand-painted from scratch using the airbrush. You can rest assured that what you are buying is not
simply a photo enlargement disguised as a painting or some other technological manipulation like many other artists are
offering.
In fact, many clients prefer a more artful interpretation rather than
a photo-realistic copy of their photograph. You can see that the portraits in my gallery vary in realism and style.
Back to the questions...
A. Although there are oil paints that dry quicker and don't have as many fumes, I prefer using the air brush and acrylic paint.
Also, cleanup is easier, the paints are less toxic, the paint dries within seconds, the paints are lightfast and permanent,
the resulting surface is smooth to the touch, and with the ComArt brand of paint, I can even erase the paint with an eraser!
I then coat the finished piece with clear acrylic followed by Golden MSA varnish to protect the artwork so your great grandchildren's
grandchildren can enjoy it as well.
Back to the questions...
A. I use lightfast, high-quality acrylic paint and acid-free illustration board or canvas
which means that your painting will not turn yellow
over long periods of time. Paper that is not acid-free turns a light yellow-brown color as time passes due to the reaction
between the paper and the acid. This also makes the paper more brittle and will cause the paper to deteriorate eventually.
I also cover the finished painting with several layers of clear acrylic and then several layers of Golden MSA varnish
which protects the painting from everyday
contaminants such as oils and acid from fingers, dust, water, smoke, and even ultra-violet radiation. Coating the entire
painting with varnish is how
fine art in museums is protected as well.
If the paintings are kept away from high humidity, mishandling, prolonged exposure to sunlight and other contaminants,
there is no reason why your portrait shouldn't last
for hundreds of years.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes. If you have several photographs with different people in each one, I can take them and merge them into one portrait,
making it appear as if they were all together at the same time.
(See the Allen Family Portrait as an example)
I can also take several separate photographs and create
a vignette effect where the people are separate in the portrait, surrounded by a fading color of black or white.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes. View Missey to see my first animal portrait.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes, unless the nature of the portrait is extremely graphic.
Back to the questions...
A. Most celebrity images are copyrighted and therefore off-limits as subject matter for a portrait.
Your best bet would be to purchase a print from
a retail store. This will also save you hundreds of dollars as prints are usually sold from $10 to $50.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes, your artwork will arrive safely and is insured for the full value while in transit.
Back to the questions...
A. The deposit is 50% of the final price of the portrait (not including shipping). Once the portrait is complete, the
remaining amount plus shipping can be paid.
Back to the questions...
A. The time needed to complete a portrait varies but usually anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks. The finishing takes another week,
shipping can add many more days to the process and
also keep in mind that there may be others ahead of you - all of which is important to consider when planning a portrait
as a Christmas/wedding/birthday gift. Since Simmons Studios does not offer a delivery timeframe guarantee, it's
a good idea to begin the process months in advance so that there is less chance of missing an important
deadline.
Back to the questions...
A. Actually, only my right ear is pointed. My left ear looks perfectly human. :) I used to love Star Trek. In fact,
I had bangs just like Spock in high school. If my pointed ear had been taller the kids probably would have
picked on me and called me Spock. It's rather neat having a pointed ear. I think it looks groovy.
Back to the questions...
A. Yes. I will be offering prints of certain paintings in the future and currently I have prints of
"Honest Abe" in three sizes: 5 x 7, 11 x 14 and 23 x 33.
It's possible to order a print of any of my paintings but the cost to make one print may prove prohibitive to you.
But if that is not concern, let me know and I can get the print made.
Back to the questions...
