For seven decades, Don Bachary has painted the Hollywood elite.
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| Don Bachardy with Marilyn Monroe - 1951 |
A-list stars would and still sit for hours as Bachardy painted their portraits at his studio in Santa Monica Canyon. Bachardy painted over 17,000 portraits - some now residing in the Smithsonian, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Bachardy also made sure he was photographed with "friends" like Bogart, Bacall, and Lucille Ball. His close friend, Karla Nielson states, "He just wanted to be near this world and was really interested in capturing it."
Posing for Bachardy is not glamorous. He demands total stillness and silence during sittings. His work is always completed in one session and is a no-frills experience. States Angelina Jolie, "When I was pregnant, I called and asked Don to paint me. I'd never sat for an artist before. Every moment of that sitting is etched in my mind. There's a magic to his work. He captures the spirit and soul of the person he's painting."
"Can you imagine living here all these years. I'm a steady worker. My work is a history of my lifetime, about all the people I've known...all the ones who sat for me." says Bachardy.
Our tribute to a man with a very special skill of capturing the essence of who he painted. Congratulations Don Bachardy.
By: Jim Lavorato
For example, Bachardy painted Bette Davis three times. They both loved the process, and sitters went without makeup or retouching of his final painting. "That's the only way I wanted to work" says the 90-year-old artist.
Three documentaries have been produced on Bachardy, which is rare for someone who is a portrait painter, they include 'The Eyes of Don Bachardy', 'Face to Face: Don Bachardy, and the latest, 'Chris and Don: A Love Story'.
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| Jack Nichelson 1982 |
Posing for Bachardy is not glamorous. He demands total stillness and silence during sittings. His work is always completed in one session and is a no-frills experience. States Angelina Jolie, "When I was pregnant, I called and asked Don to paint me. I'd never sat for an artist before. Every moment of that sitting is etched in my mind. There's a magic to his work. He captures the spirit and soul of the person he's painting."
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| Frances McDormand 1992 |
"Can you imagine living here all these years. I'm a steady worker. My work is a history of my lifetime, about all the people I've known...all the ones who sat for me." says Bachardy.
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| Bette Davis 1973 |
Our tribute to a man with a very special skill of capturing the essence of who he painted. Congratulations Don Bachardy.
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| Self--portrait 2004 |
By: Jim Lavorato
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