Andrea Kantrowitz will preserve precious moments in the life of your family with exquisite oils on canvas.

A graduate of both Harvard and Yale Universities, Andrea Kantrowitz has enjoyed nearly two decades of teaching and contemporary portrait painting. Having recently relocated from Manhattan to Westchester, Andrea works out of her studio in Pelham, NY.

According to Andrea, "Painting a family portrait is more than just creating a likeness of the subject." Before putting even the first brush stroke on the canvas, she spends time working with the subject family to establish a special collaborative relationship. The family participates in shaping the painting, deciding what aspects of their family life are most important. Ultimately, rather than painting the family in a formal pose, she uses each person's natural gestures and mannerisms, as well as favorite objects, to portray a natural moment that preserves and expresses the emotional life of the family and the bonds between its members.

"After an initial interview" says Andrea, "I observe family members interacting naturally in their chosen setting – perhaps their home or a favorite hiking path. I paint oil or watercolor sketches on site;

take reference photographs; and often work from life in the studio. From these multiple sources, I construct a single, emotionally resonant image." She adds, "As the work progresses, I maintain regular contact with the clients and always encourage them to visit with me to view the work. I listen carefully to their comments so that I can incorporate their feedback into the finished work."

Commenting on the process, one obviously delighted grandma remarked, "She didn’t just paint a portrait of the girls. She got to know them. She drew pictures with them and explained what she was doing. It was a whole experience." Many of the families Andrea has painted have said that the experience of participating in the creation of the portrait had itself become a cherished family memory.

When asked why people should choose portraits over photographs, Andrea replied "Painting reveals the timeless essence of its subject in a way photography cannot. A photograph is the record of a fleeting moment. A successful painting, with its dimension and lustre, incorporates many moments and impressions and can truly capture the emotional richness of your family forever."

return to top