Carl Samson started accepting portrait commissions in 1986 and quickly rose through the ranks of highly regarded portraitists worldwide. He believes strongly in mastering all facets of painting, which brings a rare and distinctive sensibility to his portraiture. This multi-faceted approach resulted in repeat wins - both the Grand Prize, and the Distinguished Achievement Award at the National Portrait Competition, and his unanimous election as Chairman of the Governing Board for the former American Society of Portrait Artists. His strong characterizations, drawing, color perception, composition and interpretation of form are second to none.

Like the artists John Singer Sargent, Frank Duveneck and the early American Impressionists Edmund Tarbell, Frank Benson and William Paxton, Carl is powerfully proficient in all painting genres — figurative, landscape and still life as well as portraiture. His figurative work was awarded top prize, the Phil Desind Award, by the Butler Institute of American Art, and has been purchased by the Cincinnati Art Museum. His multi-figured compositions have garnered important commissions throughout the U.S, and his landscape paintings from abroad and within the US have been acquired by discerning collectors. Many of these works can be seen in public spaces, corporations, institutions and private collections across the globe.

International Acclaim

Carl's artistic expertise and experience are recognized throughout the world. Prior to and while Chairman of the American Society of Portrait Artists, Carl served on the ASOPA International Advisory Board. He was one of five American painters invited to work and exhibit with the Union of Russian Artists in Moscow, and, he has lectured and demonstrated painting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. He's judged International Portrait Arts Festival competitions and other national and regional juried art and portrait shows, and has been an expert commentator for several Cincinnati Art Museum audio guides. Carl's work is featured in exhibits and collections from New York to California, Canada, and overseas in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Asia. Clients include global corporations, businesses, universities, colleges, government, judicial, medical, legal and religious entities, clubs, foundations, arts organizations, museums and  discerning collectors worldwide.