About the Artist

Bruce Sharpe earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Memphis College of Art and an EdM. from Harvard University. He is the former Dean of the School of Art and Design at Pratt Institute, Dean of Faculty at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, and Executive Director of the American Craft Council. His paintings are to be found in private collections in Italy and the United States and he has received a number of portrait commissions from clients in the U.S. and abroad.

Artist’s Statement

The subjects of my paintings were chosen not because they fulfilled traditional canons of beauty but because they delighted and moved me. Thus, in addition to commissioned portraits, there are portraits of relatives and friends, scenes taken from vacation visits and excursions and, generally, images and sights from my common experience. I would hope that my paintings capture the radiance of some of these, that the objects, figures, landscapes and flowers appear in all their harmony and completeness, giving to the viewer a momentary revelation, an epiphany.

Portrait Prices

None of the portraits shown on the site are for sale. The artist accepts portrait commissions for prices ranging from $450 for a 14” x 11” “headshot” to $3000 for a life size standing figure.