Troika Gallery owner, Laura Era, was recently commissioned by the Maryland State Department of the Military for a professional portrait of a retiring United States National Guard Major General.
Responding to an invitation for proposal in the fall of 2019, Laura began the detailed process of applying for the contract. The highly competitive selection process required an in-person interview at The Armory in Baltimore as well as five written references and a sample original oil portrait. After a thorough evaluation by the Selection Committee, Laura was notified in early spring that she was the chosen artist. She was selected from a large pool of professional portrait artists within the state.
Once chosen, the contract revealed that the portrait was for Major General Linda Singh who was retiring from active duty. Laura set up an appointment to meet and photograph Major General Singh at Troika Gallery.
Working at her painting studio on the Little Choptank River in Cambridge, Laura began the portrait using color notes as well as her photos of the retiring General. The three-quarter size portrait with hands and background includes ornate military regalia earned by the General. The American, Bosnian and Astonian flags depict the areas of service in which MG Singh served her country.
Framed in classic gold, the 36 x 30 oil painting is now at the Fifth Regiment Armory, on Division Street in Baltimore, among other portraits of notable United States National Guard retirees. MG Singh is the first woman and General of color to have a portrait hung in The Fifth Regiment Armory.
Renowned in her field, and admired for her excellent portraiture, Laura was recently asked to paint a portrait for the Frederick Douglass Room at The Talbot County Free Library. The donated oil painting was unveiled during the annual Douglass Celebration this past fall.
Troika Gallery exhibits the fine portraiture of Laura Era. For more information, visit troikagallery.com or lauraera.com.