PORTRAIT OF NEVADA GOVERNOR KENNY C. GUINN

“Everyone is extremely pleased with the portrait. I appreciate all your hard work and the wonderful quality you exhibited in your painting. It’s just phenomenal. We’re very, very pleased.” —Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn

“Thanks again for this absolutely beautiful painting. I can’t stop thinking about it.” — Lynn M. Libby, Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs

“Michele Rushworth is an exemplary painter, perhaps one of the stellar artists of our country, and there’s no doubt about it: Governor Guinn has fine taste in portrait art.” —Teresa Moiola, Nevada Arts Council, Department of Cultural Affairs.

PORTRAIT OF WASHINGTON STATE GOVERNOR GARY LOCKE

"Michele has an amazing talent of making the people on her canvas come alive. I was so pleased and so touched by her portrait of me. She is not only a delightful person to work with, but made the entire process thoroughly pleasant and comfortable." — Washington State Governor Gary Locke

"The portrait of Governor Locke turned out beautifully, as we knew it would. Thank you so much for taking on this project — and congratulations!" —Sharon Wallace, Communications Director, Office of the Governor

"The portrait is absolutely wonderful!" —Kelly Wicker, Community Relations, Office of the Governor

"I want to compliment you on the fine work, capturing the Governor's personality and enthusiasm. This is a classic portrait and captures Governor Locke at his best."
—Derek Valley, Director, State Capital Museum

"You deserve huge applause." —Sherry Grindeland, Seattle Times

PACIFIC NORTHWEST BALLET PORTRAIT

"From our first meeting to the installation of our portrait, the process was pure pleasure for us. Your understanding of the particular circumstances, of our characters, and of the delicate balance needed in presenting our art form on canvas were both reassuring and impressive to us.

We expected the high level of skill for which you are known but did not anticipate how beautifully your imagination and your intuition would work together. But no matter how good the working relationship, in the end what counts is the painting itself and this one is a beauty, Michele!

Many of our artists and staff have written and called recently to tell us they look at the portrait several times every day and have the sense that we are still with them. What better proof could there be that your work has achieved, or rather surpassed, the original goal of maintaining our presence at Pacific Northwest Ballet. We are very grateful to you, Michele. Working with you was a pleasure, an experience we would recommend to others with the greatest enthusiasm. With best regards from both of us, —Kent Stowell and Francia Russell"

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PORTRAIT

"Dear Michele, I enjoyed meeting you and I certainly did enjoy the painting that you created for Edgar Martinez. I though it was magnificent. Hopefully there will be a time when you can do more work for Major League Baseball. —Sincerely, Bud Selig, Commissioner of Major League Baseball"

"Dear Michele, Thank you very much for the photograph of your Edgar Martinez portrait. My family greatly enjoys it and I compliment you on the quality of your work.
—Sincerely, Senator Slade Gorton"

"Talented Northwest artist Michele Rushworth has created a wonderful piece that I would like now to unveil and present to you." —Howard Lincoln, CEO, Seattle Mariners

"An amazing portrait of Edgar brought smiles from everyone." —Rich Waltz, Sportscaster, Fox Sports Network

"Seattle CEO Howard Lincoln called Edgar Martinez "an exceptional athlete, a great teammate and a true gentleman" and unveiled a portrait of Edgar's classic high-step batting stroke by artist Michele Rushworth of Sammamish" —The Seattle Times, October 3, 2004

"Edgar Martinez was the recipient of a beautiful portrait painted by local artist Michele Rushworth"
— Seattle Post-Intelligencer, October 4, 2004

9/11 FIREFIGHTER PORTRAIT

"Michele, this is a beautiful, beautiful portrait." —Jane Clayson, Host of CBS television news program, "The Early Show"

" A local artist has created a masterpiece of the heart …. a wonderful portrait."
—Susan Hutchison, Anchor, KIRO-7 television news

"This is something that my entire family is going to cherish forever. It's beautiful, thank you so much. Having this portrait has comforted me like nothing else. It is warm and gentle and captures all that he was about as a fireman." —Suzanne Oelschlager, widow of New York City Firefighter Doug Oelschlager

OTHER OFFICIAL PORTRAITS

“We had a wonderful retirement dinner last week with a formal unveiling of the portrait. Angie and I visited the office yesterday to see the portrait in the board room and the general consensus is that you did a fabulous job! Many thanks and our best wishes for the future.”
—Brian Harker, CEO, Alliance One International

“I’ve been so impressed with your painting and feel you captured Professor Hetrick’s essence perfectly. I’m confident your demand will only increase as more potential clients see your finished work. Thanks again for helping us honor Professor Hetrick through your gifted work.” —Shonaga F. McQuade, Campbell University Law School

COMMENTS ABOUT PRIVATE AND FAMILY COMMISSIONS

“I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am with Mary Rome’s portrait. Not a day goes by that I don’t look at it and smile, for you truly captured her in every way. The entire experience was a pure joy. Not only do you have an incredible gift, you also handled the business aspect with such professionalism.” —Vaughn B.

I can’t begin to tell you how thrilled we are with your work! I am taken aback every time I glance at my portrait. It is so lifelike and perfect – you are amazing. It’s just what my husband Michael wanted. Your talent will take you far and we feel honored to have one of your pieces. This entire process has been such a fun experience and I am very glad that I got to know you. Many thanks and lots of hugs —Mrs. Peggy Swistak

"Dear Michele, I would like to thank you again for the beautiful portrait of Jamie. You have registered the subtleties and nuances of his expression and I am thrilled to have this image of him. I almost never use this word because it can be so trite, but I can truly say I will cherish this work. Thank you again." —Amy Cockburn, Seattle, WA

"Michele's portrait of Alexis captures her joyful and vibrant spirit. We are thrilled with it!
—Brenda Herrington, Atlanta, GA

"The portrait is breathtaking, with a truly beautiful use of light and such a warm portrayal of the person. You have exceeded all expectations expressed by the people who placed their trust in you for this project. I want to express my sincere appreciation for your outstanding work on this portrait and your professional approach to every aspect of the process." — Marian Tyson, Portrait Brokers of America

"Not only was Michele a joy to work with but she captured the pure essence of Maya and overwhelmed us with perfection on the canvas. The portrait she painted for us is a family treasure today and will become the family heirloom for generations. She captured Maya's heart and soul on canvas. I cried when the portrait was first unveiled." —Judy Neuman, Seattle, WA

"If we ever had a fire, the painting that Michele created would be the first thing we'd take."
—Larry Volk, North Carolina

"When I saw the portrait for the first time I thought to myself, 'This is the best money I have ever spent.' With every passing year the sentimental value of this portrait will increase."
—Thomas W. Owen, Seattle

"Dear Michele, I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying our painting and what a special place it has in our home. Your painting captures not only the pure innocence of the children but also the warm relationship that they share. My family and I will continue to value your work for many years to come." —Jennifer Estrada, Sammamish, WA

"Michele Rushworth has captured the soul of the subject as well as the likeness. She has a talent which reminds me of John Singer Sargent — several deft brushstrokes and she has turned a portrait into an emotion." —Jim Foley, Arizona

"I had tears in my eyes when I saw the finished portrait you created of our daughter. You captured her features exactly as I see her. Her features and the fur on her collar look so real. Family and friends marvel at the artistic gift you have." —Susan Edwards, Sammamish, WA

"Astonishingly beautiful." —Jodi D. Gable, Bellevue, WA

"I wanted to tell you just how gorgeous and perfect the portraits are. What works of art! We're very, very thrilled with what you've done and we can't wait to get the next portrait that you'll be creating of our whole family next year." —Rick Wood, Snoqualmie

"I see my Grandpa up there on the wall and I want to hug him!" —Rachel J., Age 6