In the Artist’s Studio: Rainer Andreesen

“My first attempt at painting was a portrait of a little girl in watercolor in third grade. It was devastating – I was laughed at by my brothers, classmates, and teacher,” remembers Rainer Andreesen of his introduction to the art world. Things have changed since then, and today his striking portraits are collected by the likes of actors Alan Alda and Jennifer Garner.

When not painting, Andreesen – born in Prince Rupert, Canada, in 1963 – can be found fronting modeling campaigns for brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, and was recently dubbed “hottest man in the world” (by Gawker). The multitalented artist took time out of his schedule to talk to Luxury Defined…

What is the appeal of painting people?
I paint portraits and people because it is a challenging subject that inspires me constantly. I have always been drawn to faces and the challenge of capturing not only the likeness, but also the spirit. They provide a constant learning experience for me. A single stroke can change an expression or mood, so it is a constant editing process also.

You also paint landscapes and still lifes. Tell us about these…
When I paint a landscape or still life, it is usually to get my head clear and out of a portrait zone. My landscapes are usually done without reference and are imaginary places, and the still lifes are things I set up in the studio. They are a nice break and sometimes necessary for me to tackle another portrait.

Do you work exclusively from photos?
When I paint portraits I usually work from photographs. There are a number of reasons for this. One is that I find the initial sketch tedious for both the sitter and myself, and two, most of the time I want to capture them in their environment while feeling comfortable, and that can’t happen in a long, drawn-out process. I also do a lot of commissions for people who logistically would be difficult for me to capture.

Who would you really like to paint?
My “dream sitter” is a long list of people, dead and alive. Dead would be John Singer Sargent, Theodore Roosevelt, Mark Twain, Sigmund Freud, and Walt Whitman. Living: Ray LaMontagne, John Grant, David Gilmour, and Eric Fischl. I love to paint people who inspire me, and I have been fortunate to have been able to do that so far, but these are people that I would have liked the opportunity to paint, or would like to paint.

Tell us a bit about your studies?
Coming from a small town in northwestern Canada, I had no concept of making a living from art aside from advertising. It was a heavy choice to choose between a fine arts program at the Emily Carr University of Art & Design or a commercial arts program at Capilano University, both in Vancouver. I chose the latter because it was an avenue to be creative and make a living financially. It was a four-year intensive program that provided me with the skills to work in the advertising industry and hone my skills in illustration. 

What’s your working timetable like?
My work routine varies with my modeling work. I spend as much time in my studio in isolation as my schedule allows me – about 50 percent of my time lately. Balancing the modeling with the painting remains a constant challenge. I usually need a few days to get into the rhythm of painting to work on a piece. That’s not always the luxury I have, as the modeling schedule is often last-minute confirmations, so I do small studies to keep a flow going.

What do you do when a painting just “won’t work?”
When a painting does not work I destroy it, and there have been a few! There was a time where I would throw a tantrum beyond belief and shred the painting with a sense of joy and failure at the same time. 

Career highlights so far?
The fact that I get to paint the people I paint. Kathy Bates’s family portrait was a big highlight for me recently. She has been the greatest client so far as she wanted my interpretation of the photos that she provided, and our working dialogue was inspiring and that transferred beautifully into the painting.

Tell us a bit more about your modeling career…
My modeling career has had a longevity that always amazes me. I started in 1990 in Vancouver, when I was approached by an advertising client to model for a department store there. After that I was scouted to go to Milan, and it took off from there. My first job in Italy was to walk the runway for Armani and I ended up spending a successful three years based in Italy working for designers such as Zegna, Valentino, and Gucci before moving to New York in 1994. The modeling work kept me busy for at least eight years in New York before I took a five-year break and concentrated on my art. I returned to modeling six years ago by the urging of my New York agent, and I have to say it has never been better. The clients I work for treat me with respect and it seems to be a collaborative effort on each job. I really enjoy the jobs I do and the people I get to work with.

Do you have a favorite book?
My  most recently read favorite was The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. I loved the premise most of all, but fell in love with the characters, in what I thought was a well-rounded story about art and the world it navigates through in some circles.

Favorite city?
London, because it offers so much for me. When I am there, I will visit the National Portrait Gallery daily and then walk though the many city parks on my way to shop for the greatest fashion-forward style I can imagine. Although I find it one of the most expensive cities, there is a style and aura about it that is priceless.

And your favorite artworks?
Anything by John Singer Sargent. It is always a joy and there is an appreciation beyond description for me to see anything he has done up close and personal. I can stand in front of a single painting for hours. My favorite painting of his is the portrait The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, hanging in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Sargent has always been able to achieve the highest mark of portraiture. He captures the spirit of the sitter with a thick brush stroke that is unmatched by any artist to date, as far as I am concerned.

What are your most treasured possessions?
My suits by Thom Browne and Vivienne Westwood, and my vinyl collection.

What do you do for fun?
Fun for me these days is time spent in solitude painting and listening to great music, or going on long walks within the city of New York, looking for old vinyl and good deals shopping. I also love spending time with my partner [actor Victor Garber], going to see a great play on Broadway, having dinner with friends, or taking a long walk around the sea wall in Vancouver when I’m there – or walking in nature, which provides a sense of peace and natural beauty.