Gratus

This portrait series borrows it’s name from the Latin word Gratus, meaning beloved, dear, pleasing or agreeable. The style of these miniatures is inspired by a series of colonial family portraits from the collection of the Bennington Museum.  My subjects are companion animals, some of which are my own family pets.  Intended to delight, these mementos humorously honor dear family members. I work from photographs and digital images. Please contact me if you would like a custom portrait. laporteorama@gmail.com

painting landscapes

Lost and found.  I grew up in Bennington and went to college in western New York state then moved to New York City and to Boston. Two years ago I moved back to Vermont. Growing up I spent a lot of time roaming the woods with my dog.  We followed deer runs and looked for owl pellets. Sometimes we walked as far as our legs would take us through fields and woods. I found a lot of comfort in those places. Through these paintings, I am trying to reconnect to that space.