Official Academic Portrait Commission

Upon arriving at the university, Marvin spent time getting to know Dr. Guzak over lunch before they walked through the hospital looking for a location for the portrait.

After exploring a number of possibilities, they arrived at a large lobby that overlooked the hospital. What immediately caught Marvin’s attention were the massive structural columns and the view of the building beyond. He knew right away that he had found the setting. Marvin realized he could use one of the columns to help separate Dr. Guzak from the background while still allowing the building details to remain an integral part of the painting.

Because Dr. Guzak had literally been responsible for every brick of the hospital’s construction, Marvin felt the architecture could not be treated as a vague or indistinct backdrop. It needed to remain recognizable and believable. Rather than softening or blurring the background, he used aerial perspective to create the illusion of depth while preserving the detail that made the setting meaningful.

Once the location had been chosen, Marvin worked with Dr. Guzak to select clothing that would strengthen the overall composition. The architecture consisted largely of earthy tones accented by subtle blues. By choosing a more vibrant blue suit and shirt, Marvin was able to separate the sitter from the background while maintaining harmony throughout the painting.

Many of the relationships within the composition are intentionally repeated. The oval shape of Dr. Guzak’s head is echoed by architectural elements as well as the table on which his hand rests, creating a sense of visual unity. Even the pattern of the tie subtly relates to forms found elsewhere in the setting. Although these details may not be consciously noticed by the viewer, they help create a portrait that feels cohesive and carefully considered.

Marvin’s goal was never to invent a pose. The hand resting lightly on the table and the other tucked casually into a pocket were simply part of Dr. Guzak’s natural demeanor.

The problem was that the table he wanted to use was too low. Unwilling to compromise, Marvin drove to The Home Depot, bought lumber and tools, and built a custom platform in his hotel room in order to elevate the table to the proper height for the photography session.

Every element in the painting was chosen for a reason. Marvin believes great portraiture is the result of an infinite array of mindful decisions.