Our Philosophy: "Portraiture is the most personal form of art. Each portrait tells a story, unlike any other. It captures the essence of an individual at a special time in his or her life. As artists, our job is to tell that story. A likeness goes beyond surface detail to reveal something of the spirit & personality behind the expression. It's important for us to view the subjects through the eyes of those who love them, & through the One who created us all. When creating a portrait, we keep in mind that this is someone who is very much loved, & that we are creating a family heirloom!" About the Artists: Michael & Evelyn Brown have been creating portraits professionally for over 30 years. Their work can be found in courtrooms, boardrooms, & living rooms, as part of private & corporate collections worldwide. "Through our work, we have enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life, & are blessed to have the privilege of doing what we love for a living!"  Some of the Browns' better known portrait subjects include Bob Hope; Steve Cropper (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Grammy award winning songwriter, guitarist, producer, & "Blues Brother");   Grammy award winning trumpet player, Al Hirt (Michael Brown presented a portrait of the musician at Hirt's induction ceremony into The New Orleans Musical Legends Hall of Fame); & MVP Baseball Player (Philadelphia Phillies) Manny Trillo. They also did portraits of New Orleans personalities Chris Owens (night club owner & performer), Newscasters Angela Hill (& her pet pig, "Alice"), Sally Ann Roberts & Ms. Robert's sister, Robin Roberts (NBC & MSNBC); & Civil War General P.G.T. Beauregard (commissioned by the LA National Guard). Other clients include Federal Judge Frank  Polozola, Senator George H. Winner, & Judge Louis B Trent (whose portrait is in the New Orleans Courthouse). "Our clients are very discerning people, and recognize value when they see it.  They often excel in their fields of work.  They know what they are looking for, and expect the best.  We make sure every customer receives our very best work." The Browns focus on the qualities that  make each subject unique.  Their portraits have animated expressions & a life-like quality, which they attribute to having worked from life for so many years.  Michael & Evelyn have done literally thousands of portraits & have studied with some of the best portrait artists in the country. The two artists have in each other a supportive critic.  Every portrait receives the benefit of their combined talents & separate points of view. Michael Brown is also a talented landscape painter, evident in the environmental backgrounds of his portraits.   PROCESS: Each portrait is a collaboration between the artists, the subject, & the client. The Browns work directly with their customers through every step of the portrait, from photographing the subject & choosing the best pose & expression, to the finishing touches. Although they enjoy working from life, photography is an important part of their work, to isolate the expression & other elements of the portrait, which allows most of the painting to be done in the studio without the necessity for long sittings, & when sittings are not an option. A likeness is guaranteed.  Personal Stories: Michael Brown (Mick), born in England, comes from a family of artists & builders, & his talents were recognized & encouraged at an early age.  He received an Honors Degree in Fine Arts from The University of Manitoba (Canada), & spent a year traveling through Europe, exploring art galleries & studying the works of the Old Masters first hand.  After graduation, Brown worked as a photographer & technical illustrator for MCI/Greyhound, the Royal Canadian Air force, & also for the US Government, creating the operations manuals for the Louisiana Offshore Oil Port, a project to supply the Strategic Oil Reserves.  When that project was completed, he retired from commercial art & devoted his career full time to fine arts.  He studied portraiture at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts, & with noted portrait artists Chuck Moran & Daniel Greene.  He also cites John Howard Sanden as an important influence.     Mick first met his wife, Evelyn, while vacationing in the French Quarter, & decided not to return home to Canada. They were married in 1980. The couple enjoyed the rich, Bohemian life of being artists in the Vieux Carre & the colorful, ever changing scene around them.  They resided in New Orleans for over 25 years, until moving to Blue Ridge, Georgia to be near Evelyn's family.    Evelyn Brown, a native of Miami, FL, is also from a family of artists (including poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow) & was already drawing at age 2.  Art was always her focus, portraiture in particular. She received art scholarships & majored in fine arts at college (Miami-Dade Community College  & University of West Florida, Pensacola).  Evelyn fell in love with New Orleans during her first visit there for Mardi Gras.  She was inspired by the architecture & romance of the city, & by the hundreds of artists she met in the Vieux Carre, & the many art galleries.  Soon after that visit, she moved to New Orleans & became a full time member of the art colony there.    Evelyn studied portraiture & painting at the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts with Dell Weller & with noted portrait artists Chuck Moran, Bob Graham & Paul McCormack. She also attended portrait workshops conducted by John Howard Sanden, Margaret Holland Sargent, and Robert Bruce Williams at the National Portrait Seminar in NYC, NY. Both Mick & Evelyn Brown are animal lovers and specialize in portraits of pets & horses. The Browns contribute to several animal welfare organizations & participate in fundraisers for these charities, including the Humane Society, the LA-SPCA, & The Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta. Their Golden Retriever, "Heidi", & Siamese cat, "Bucky", were both adopted from rescue groups. The Browns live in Blairsville, GA, & are members of the Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (www.BRMAA.net); their work can be seen at the art center in Blue Ridge, GA.