Fine Art by Maria Abeyesekere
Custom Portrait Commissions
Museum-Quality Portraits for Private Collectors In the US and Europe - A custom portrait is more than a likeness — it is a legacy.
Maria Abeyesekere is an internationally experienced portrait and figurative artist whose work is commissioned by private collectors, families, and discerning patrons across the United States and Europe.
Each portrait is conceived as a lasting work of fine art — created with the intention of belonging to a private collection, a family estate, or an institutional setting. Maria undertakes a limited number of commissions annually to ensure a meticulous, highly personalized approach.
A Refined, Bespoke Commission Experience
Portrait commissions are managed with the discretion and professionalism expected by international collectors.
The studio accepts commissions for:
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Individual and formal portraits
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Family and multi-figure compositions
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Children’s portraits
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Generational and legacy portraits
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Memorial and tribute works
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Private and institutional collections
Portraits are created from professional photography and carefully curated
reference material, allowing collectors in the
US and Europe to commission work without travel if preferred.
Artistic Approach & Aesthetic
The work is grounded in classical European atelier training, emphasizing structure, tonal harmony, and painterly realism, while remaining sensitive to the individuality and presence of the sitter.
Key qualities collectors value include:
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Strong likeness combined with psychological depth
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Controlled use of light and composition
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A timeless, non-trending aesthetic
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Painterly surfaces suitable for long-term collections
The resulting portraits are elegant, restrained,
and enduring — designed to age with dignity.
Materials & Craftsmanship
All portraits are executed using archival, museum-grade materials to ensure longevity and conservation standards appropriate for serious collections.
Available formats include:
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Oil on fine linen canvas
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Oil on canvas
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Graphite on Paper
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Portrait sizes range from intimate formats to large-scale works intended for formal interiors, galleries, and estates.
Serving US & European Collectors
Maria regularly works with clients based in:
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United States
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United Kingdom
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Western & Central Europe
International services include:
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Virtual consultations and previews
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Clear timelines and professional documentation
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Secure international shipping
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Museum-standard packaging and handling
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Painting Process
Each of Maria’s portraits is created using a meticulous layer-upon-layer painting process, typically involving 3 to 4 layers. She begins with a precise underpainting, establishing proportions and composition. The first layers lay the foundation with mid-tones and base colors, followed by additional layers that build depth, texture, and subtle details. In the final layers, she refines highlights, shadows, and nuances of expression, ensuring that every feature is lifelike and full of emotion. This methodical approach is what gives her hyperrealism portraits their depth, realism, and soul.
Unlike many artists, Maria does not use glazing techniques on her human portraits. This preserves the purity and depth of skin tones, ensuring that every brushstroke contributes to the natural warmth and realism of her subjects. She reserves glazing only occasionally for wildlife and nature-inspired works, where transparent layers help capture the luminosity of fur, feathers, and foliage. In all her paintings, oil paints are only slightly diluted when creating ultra-thin lines.
Collecting a Hand-Painted Portrait
For collectors, a commissioned portrait represents more than representation — it is an act of cultural preservation.
A hand-painted portrait:
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Establishes personal and familial legacy
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Enhances the cultural value of a private collection
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Reflects connoisseurship and refined taste
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Endures beyond photography and digital media
Collectors often seek this work for its quiet authority, emotional restraint, and classical integrity.
Commission Process
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Initial Inquiry – Scope, subject, size, and intent
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Consultation – Artistic direction and reference planning
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Creation Phase – Traditional layered painting process
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Review & Refinement – Collector feedback incorporated
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Completion & Delivery – Professional global shipment
Each commission is undertaken with full transparency and personal oversight.
Commission Inquiries
Maria accepts a select number of portrait commissions each year from private collectors, families, and institutions in the US and Europe.
Inquiries are welcomed from those seeking a museum-quality portrait of lasting artistic value.
