About the Mendocino Portrait Guild

The guild is composed of approximately fifteen men and women artists, amateur as well as professional, who meet each Wednesday in the studio at 10964 Palette Drive, Mendocino. The artists start at nine sharp and complete their portraits or head studies by noon, with breaks each half hour for refreshments and rest. The portraits are given to the sitters in lieu of a modeling fee. The models are family, friends, neighbors, relatives, or anyone who wants a free portrait. In the absence of a model, the artists take turns posing. The system has worked well for the past fifteen years and some of the artists have completed over a thousand portraits.

Doing a portrait in a short prescribed time is a daunting task but provides practice for the artists and a piece of fine art for the sitter. Head studies are usually done in the preparation for a more complete portrait and some of the guild members welcome portrait commissions.

Hosted by Don and Gigi Koubek. Anyone interested in a free portrait may call 707-937-0654 to schedule an appointment.