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Looking at Michael Shane Neal, he would seem of first impact to have come out of an old painting as a distinguished gentleman of English origins, loyal to the label that clothing imposes: jacket with clutch bag, shirt and tie, mini-youp acetate glasses, elongated mustache with beard and cufflinks at the cuffs of the shirt. And instead no. Michael Shane Neal is the one who stands in front of the easel, he is the artist: the active subject who makes extraordinary portraits. After studying at Lipscomb University, he continued his studies at the Santa Fe Institute of Fine Arts, The Scottsdale Artist School and the Lyme Academy of Art. He was the pupil of America’s most famous portraitist and figurative artist, Everett Raymond Kinstler, who passed away in 2019, without having first taught him everything he knew about the art of portraiture. Michael Shane Neal has deep respect for his mentor who he remembers with devotion and sympathy even in the various “pieces” of art he keeps in his studio.
He began painting professionally at the age of 21 and has since made over 500 commissioned portraits exhibited worldwide. When he opens the doors of his studio, it feels as if we are in another time and place, in England maybe, even though the Tennessee mansions, completely surrounded by greenery, are very reminiscent of English lands. Mr. Shane Neal reveals, however, that his current studio, a stone’s throw from the chaotic town of Nashville, is part of a 1917 property, which covers 2.5 acres of private land with old trees and beautiful gardens. It was only in 2017 that it was renovated by a major architectural firm that maintained the large windows located to the north that allow natural light to enter in all its splendor, and the 24′ high ceiling that sets no limits in size in the realization of his works. Mr Shane Neal also tells us that he did not start from this studio, which he defines as: “…the dream that becomes reality and that has gone far beyond my expectations”, because the artist has worked his way up the ladder like all the greats of artists.
He started painting in the garage at home as a boy and as his skills grew, so did the size of the studios in which he lived and created, until today and the artist he is. Michael Shane Neal, in addition to being the father of two daughters, one of whom has walked the path of her father, was a member of the board of directors of the Portrait Society of America, the National Council of the Norman Rockwell Museum, the American Patrons for the National Library and Galleries of Scotland (APNLGS), the board of directors of the Andrew Jackson Foundation and the board of the Cheekwood Museum of Art. He is currently a member of the Allied Artists of New York, the Artist Fellowship of New York, the Salmagundi Club, the Lotos Club, the Century Association, the Sloane Club of London, the Cumberland Society of Painters, and an Exhibiting Artist member of the National Arts Club of New York and much more.
But let’s talk about his studio which many times ago was the garage area. When you enter it is a wonderful experience first of all for the magic of the wood that envelops the entire room, then for the unquestionably classy style of the artist, but also for the logistics and organization of the materials. In the work area, among easels of every size and type of wood on which there are works completed and to be completed, there is a small table that was once used as a support for the sick in hospital that the artist beat at an auction, transforming it into a work tool holder. In the room there are antique furniture placed along the walls in whose drawers the artist has divided the tubes of oil by color, the mediums and the material used. On the other hand, at the ends of the large room, besides various memorabilia, author’s pieces, sketches and important invitations framed on the walls, there are books, many books, arranged according to a precise logic divided by author, by type, or subject, among them: books about artists, art history, illustration, sector magazines and interior art from which the artist draws inspiration.
In the room there are antique furniture placed on the walls in whose drawers the artist has divided the tubes of oil by color, the mediums and the material used. On the opposite side of the room, in addition to the books, there is a large antique desk with an old typewriter that is still used today, magnifying glasses, goggles of various materials (but of the same “mini-size”) and a black maquette of high value located at the right end of the desk. In addition to the desk there is a reading station for large books, and then sofas and armchairs to make guests feel at ease because as the artist says: “… it is essential to dialogue, to enter into a relationship with the subject to be represented.
In addition to his studio Mr. Shane Neal wanted to create a space dedicated to guests who wish to stay at his home during some phases of the realization of the painting. The artist, who prefers to work in natural light, meets the subject to be represented on more than one occasion, collects information and takes pictures, considering which materials to use in his studio or in the study of the subject, elements that can characterize it. Then he realizes several oil sketches: and focused on the one on which to work begins the actual representation for which he alternates the presence of the client to the use of images. Michael Shane Neal is published in the most authoritative magazines and has received numerous awards including the Grand Prize Award of the Portrait Society of America in 2001. His paintings include several senators, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and former President George H.W. Bush, baronets and lords, federal court president Anthony Scirica and actor Morgan Freeman.
Adjacent to his studio there is another studio, a small English style cottage, where in summer he organizes workshops lasting a few days, the rest is used by his daughter.
If you think it’s over here, you’re wrong because Michael Shane Neal owns a second art studio in New York.
This second jewel overlooks the beautiful Gramercy Park and is located inside the historic “The National Arts Club” founded in 1906.
This second jewel overlooks the beautiful Gramercy Park and is located within the historic “The National Arts Club” founded in 1906. It was the historic home of Samuel Tilden and has been part of the National Historic Landmark of the United States of America since 1976. Here lived John Singer Sargent, Merrit Chase, to name a few. And here John LaFarge created stained glass panels for the interior of the building, while Ellin and Kitson’s sculptors created elaborate outlines of fireplaces, bookcases and doors, and glass master Donald MacDonald created a unique stained glass dome for Tilden’s library that crowns the room where the bar is now located. The location has been the protagonist of movies, fashion shows, photo shoots and boasts temporary collections of emerging artists along the corridors leading to Mr. Shane Neal’s studio on the eighth floor of the building he has owned since 1984.
Were it not for the history that one breathes and the facades for the stained-glass windows overlooking Gramercy Park, and near which the easel with the portrait of a famous New York doctor is placed, the environment recalls the originality and antiquity of the pieces present at the studio in Nashville: also here there are armchairs and sofas to make guests feel at ease and welcome them in the best way. My favorite piece of furniture is undoubtedly the “shaving mirror”, used over time by barbers and used by Shane Neal for his portraits.
To the question posed by the Executive Direction of The Portrait Society of America, Christine Egnosky: “What element makes a work great?” the artist answers: “In addition to technical knowledge, there is no doubt the degree of connection that can be created with the subject of the painting and the simplicity with which the emotions that define the subject manage to be imprinted on the canvas,” says the artist.
For those who are interested in the key to success that led Michael Shane Neal to create an artistic space of a thousand and one nights there is nothing else to do: “Apply himself with love, passion, complete dedication and sacrifice because only in this way can you get results that will then be able to repay the artist”, said Mr. Shane Neal.
Waiting for the official start of the 22nd edition of the Portrait Society of America, which will take place this afternoon at 4:00 PM ET (10:00 PM Italian time) stay tuned on Miami Niche to follow, through our articles, the dense program of events that the Portrait Society of America has in store.
(on the title: Michael Shane Neal in his studio in Nashville, TN)
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