Commissioned Works
Mythic Inner
Architecture Portrait
A Mythic Inner Architecture Portrait is a practice of revealing the inner architecture of a person - the part of identity that is symbolic, archetypal, and spiritually resonant. These portraits do not aim to reproduce likeness. They illuminate the deeper patterns that shape a person's presence. Not a depiction - an artifact. A lifelong companion. A piece of lineage.
“Art that bridges the physical and the spiritual. His work feels both ancient and modern. A one-of-a-kind symbolic transmission. Art that's not decorative; it's revelatory.”- Michael Fratangelo
Reckard Family Portrait
Jefferson Hills, PA
6′ × 5′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Wise old soul — African queen's crown, sun, shaman smoking pipe, clock
- Beautiful person — red and purple rose
- Interest in outdoors — fishing hooks, baseball, baseball bat
- Interest in Industrial Revolution era — vintage John Deere tractor, Civil War rifle
- Athlete — Nike icon, football
- Smart, spiritual — First Holy Communion and cross, light bulb, up arrow
- Tennis player and dog lover — tennis racket, chocolate Labrador Retriever
Tuckfelt Portrait
Pittsburgh, PA
4′ × 4′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Love of baseball and Pitt football — Pittsburgh Pirates logo, Pitt University logos
- Wisdom and peace — peace pipe
- Coin collector — coins and money symbols throughout
- Celebration of Judaism — Kiddush cup, dreidel, menorah, outline of Israel
- Caring heart — nursing career
- Love of Golden Retrievers — dog
- Love of ice skating — ice skates
Iacobucci Family Portrait
Aliquippa, PA
6′ × 5′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Italian Catholic heritage — traditional Italian food and Christian cross
- Steel worker and seamstress — tools
- Light of the family — candle
- Special Education teacher — students as flowers
- Interest in NASA Apollo launches — rocket
- Green thumb gardening — purple spade on right
Diaddigo Family Portrait
Regent Square, PA
4′ × 4′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Traveler and favorite destination Africa — world flags
- NASA employee — space shuttle and NASA logo
- Love of Christmas — Christmas tree and Santa hat
- Light of family and friends, love of hats — candle with hat at the base
- Professional baseball player — bat and baseballs
- Fishing fly rod business — fishing rod, fish and sun
- Catholicism — Christian cross
- Steelworker, backbone of the family — steel beam
Dr. Klein Family Portrait
Cleveland, OH
6′ × 5′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Intelligence — bright circles surrounding light bulb
- Hope and pureness — wife's face represented by dream catcher
- Catholicism — priestly garments and cross
- New opportunities and optimism — crescent moon
- Soccer athlete — soccer ball
Salopek Family Portrait
Jefferson Hills, PA
6′ × 5′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Passion for music — guitar and record player
- Nightlife, musician performer — crescent moon with sunglasses
- Light to others, self-confidence — candle
- Interest in hockey — hockey sticks, NHL logo and Pittsburgh Penguin pucks
- Family symbol — crow smoking a pipe and Croatian flag
- Roots in Montana — bucking horse
- Love of outdoors and camping — campfire
- Connection between husband and wife — horseshoe and diamond ring
Drs. Bolin Family Portrait
College Station, TX
4′ × 5′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Coin collector — coins and money symbols throughout
- Peaceful and calm — husband's head is Indian head on coin with peace pipe
- Fond of Southwest and native American culture — sunset colors
- Daughter of minister — crown of thorns, cross and angel wings
- Associate Dean College of Nursing — Red Cross emblem on nurse bonnet
- Love of gardening — sprouting flower
- Runners — Nike shoes and Olympic torch
Betler Family Portrait
Jefferson Hills, PA
5′ × 6′ · Oil on canvas
Symbolism
- Warrior spirit — purple heart, bow and arrow in upper right corner
- Intelligence — light emanating from light bulb
- Strong faith — Celtic cross
- Femininity and loving — pink strokes emanating from circle
- Masculinity — sheriff's badge and strong bold colors
- Love of gardening — green plants
- Children in costumes — Batman and Spongebob Squarepants
- Portrait was created during solar eclipse of the sun
Dr. Shannon Thieroff Portrait
Ben Avon, PA
4′ × 4′ · Oil & glitter on canvas
Symbolism
- Powerful ambition and success — space shuttle, shoot for the stars, crown
- Love of animals — dog, sphinx cat, Great Dane Hugo
- Women's rights — Susan B. Anthony coin
- Love of India's culture — outline of India, Roman numeral clock
- Love of travel — van, camper, highway
- Rebellious, mystical — cigarettes, fairy, ballet shoes
Cavitt-Heshler Family Portrait
Allison Park, PA
4′ × 5′ · Oil & glitter on canvas
Symbolism
- Rastafarian, maleness, strength and vigor — Lion of Judah, king's crown
- Merging couple's personalities — triskelion (triple spiral)
- Love of cooking and baking — boule bread, rolling pin, spatula, whisk
- Love of Judoka — judo players
- Love of theatre and art — comedy/tragedy masks, artist brush, pencil
- Feminism — feminist logo, Christ on cross
- Free spirit — fairy on moon with rubies, crown
- Caring and concern for others — bleeding heart
- Favorite beagle — Luke
Hasak Family Portrait
West Mifflin, PA
5’x4’ · Oil and glitter on canvas
Symbolism
- Mechanically brilliant mind — lightbulb with gears
- Father of three — three children
- Cleveland roots — Ohio State logo
- Love of Star Wars and Dungeons & Dragons — Obi-Wan Kenobi, Star Wars logo, X-wing, TIE fighter
- Patriotism — American flag with eagle
- God's Raven — symbolizing providence, spiritual awakening, and divine judgment
- Bleeding heart — compassion and emotional depth
Soucy Family Portrait
5’x4’ · Oil and glitter on canvas
Symbolism
- Hands on mechanically and intellectually smart — Lightbulbs
- Very ambitious — space shuttle
- A cross to bear — Jesus Christ with cross on back
- Big heart — bleeding heart
- Love of travel — Earth globe
- Love of writing — Virginia Wolf -“To the Lighthouse” novel
- Cannabis advocate — marijauna leaves