PORTRAITS

Portraits of people in their environments

There is a strong relationship between humans and the spaces they inhabit. Especially with artists and creators, their space says something more about what is important in their lives. They add to their creativity and grounds them in their beliefs and philosophies. This particular connection is what intrigues me the most when I am making an environmental portrait. It is no longer just about how that person looks like, but how closely related they are to his or her surroundings: about their world, energy, and what makes them unique. It tells so much story.
For me, environmental portraiture is about creating real, personal, honest, and thoughtful images.

Artist Kenton Nelson sitting on a striped armchair in a studio, surrounded by colorful artwork, including a large painting of a woman with a towel, a mosaic of two hands holding a red bag, a painting of a house, and an arch bridge.

The items on the right are the belongings of his father. This collection of items also contain the mechanical tools that he found so beautiful and appealing, which often come out in his paintings.

Photographed in his studio in Pasadena, CA.

View a film on Kenton Nelson >

Kenton Nelson, Painter

Master builder Frank Gallagher sitting in a floral armchair, holding a vintage tin toy car in a cozy living room filled with bookshelves, a chandelier, and various artworks.

Frank Gallagher, Mastercraftsmen

With his strong Irish accent, Frank is one of the funniest artist I’ve met. His home is filled with tons of books, toys, and art. It’s a feast to the eye to just scan through this image.

Photographed in his living room, San Marino, CA.

Ray Turner seated in his art studio surrounded by large portrait paintings of a face, with paint-covered canvases and crumpled paper on the floor.

Ray uses a lot of paint in his painting. Taken after he finished his painting on the easel, the photograph shows aftermath of his act of painting. The opened paint cabinet, scrunched up paper towels, and the ever-sticky floor with dropped paint. One can feel the intensity of him painting.

Photographed in his studio, Pasadena, CA.

Ray Turner, Painter

Anton Ismael sitting in a cluttered art studio, looking at a large abstract painting on the wall, with various art supplies and tools on a nearby table.

After a gruesome battle of putting a feeling onto the canvas.

Photographed in his studio, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Learn more about Anton Ismael >

Anton Ismael, Visual Artist

Jim Heimann stands with arms crossed in a dark, urban alley surrounded by fire escapes and utility wires, viewed at night in black and white.

In conjunction with his book release “Dark City” about the crime and corruption in LA in the early 1900s, the “dark” side of Los Angeles’ Chinatown was chosen to be the backdrop of this portrait.

Photographed in the back alleys of Chinatown, Los Angeles.

Watch Jim Heimann’s documentary short film on his collecting >

Jim Heimann, Executive Editor of Taschen America

Nighttime cityscape reflected in a window showing an interior with bookshelves, a woman working at a table, and illuminated high-rise buildings outside.

The playwright is the storyteller who gives voice and shape to the world of the play.

Photographed in her apartment in Jakarta, Indonesia

Ann Lee, Playwright

Metal Sculptor David Buckingham sitting on a stool in a cluttered workshop, wearing a protective welding helmet, black shirt, and beige pants, surrounded by tools and various signs on the walls.

A creative bad boy, once an AD Man in the 80s, turns scrap metal into edgy metal sculptures.

Photographed in his studio, Los Angeles, CA

David Buckingham, Metal Sculptor

Artist Kenton Nelson in a light blue button-up shirt stands with his hands in his pockets in front of an unfinished painting depicting multiple outlined figures of people.

The day was winding down, the warm light started turning to blue. I peeked in to see what he had been working on, and I immediately said, “I have to take your portrait.”

Photographed in his studio, Pasadena, CA

Kenton Nelson, Painter

A woman sitting on a chair in a room filled with children's clothing and decorations, with large windows and a chandelier overhead.

Inspired by childhood stories and everything French, Dian created the children’s clothing boutique to celebrate their childhood.

Photographed in her office, Downtown Los Angeles.

Dian McManus, Owner & Designer Runaway Pony

Reflection of multiple people on a glass window with a poster for a film directed by 'Putrama Tuta' visible.

As they were planning to do a new film, we talked about hiring the best talents and letting them do what they do best.

Photographed in Tuta Films homebase, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Putrama Tuta, Film Director

Furniture Designer John Caldwell sitting at a desk in his office, gesturing with one hand, with a coffee cup, open notebook, and various office supplies on the desk. A window with trees outside behind him.

John Caldwell, Furniture Designer

Most people who buys high end furnitures may not know his name, but for most in the industry, he is known as
The Godfather of Outdoors Furnitures.

Photographed in his office, Pasadena, CA.

What makes him earn this nickname? Explore the film >

Close-up of Letterform Designer Michael Doret with looking upward at night, with colorful blurred city lights in the background.

Ever since he was a young boy, he would fixate on fun letterform designs, filled with amazement. Since the 70’s, he wowed the world with his designs.

Photographed in front of a restaurant in Burbank, CA.

Check out Michael’s documentary short film >

Michael Doret, Letterform Designer

Portrait of Indonesian New Music Composer, Tony Prabowo

While listening to music, he looks away and lets his soul resonate.

Photographed in his home, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Tony Prabowo, Composer

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