About Richard Halstead

Artist: Mr. Halstead is a nationally recognized portrait painter and teacher who has been working in both oils and pastels since 1970. His portrait of Joseph Cardinal Bernardin in the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution, “demonstrates the gentleness and strength, the character and depth of this great churchman,” according to Bernardin’s private secretary, Monsignor Kenneth Velo.

Teacher: Given his renown as a portrait artist, it is surprising that Mr. Halstead is equally exceptional as teacher. He’s the exception to the old maxim, “Those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach.” Mr. Halstead’s students typically describe him with words and phrases such as articulate, giving and intuitively smart. He is extremely generous with his time and knowledge because he takes his job of teaching very seriously, wanting to do right by each student. He will share everything he knows about drawing, painting, and seeing, while at the same time guiding students around the confusions and frustrations that inevitably arise while learning.

Prior to teaching group and private classes in his Evanston studio, Mr. Halstead taught at The American Academy of Art in Chicago, Ontario College of Art, and Prairie State College.

Collection in Which His Work is Exhibited

• Illinois State Capitol Hall of Governors, Springfield, Illinois
• Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
• University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
• University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
• University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky
• Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire
• Children’s Memorial Hospital Research Center, Chicago, Illinois
• Episcopal Diocese of New York, New York
• New York Saddle and Sirloin Club, Louisville, Kentucky
• American Academy of Art, Chicago, Illinois
• Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois

Selected Portrait Subjects

• Ambassador James Collins, Ambassador of the United States to the Russian Federation (1997–2001)
• Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Roman Catholic prelate, Archbishop of Chicago
• George Ryan Governor, State of Illinois
• Mitch Daniels Governor, State of Indiana
• Marshall Field V President, Field Enterprises & Chairman, Board of Directors, Art Institute of Chicago
• Dr. Steven Beering President, Purdue University
• Dr. Harrie Vanderstappin Chairman, Art History Department, University of Chicago
• Justin Stanley President, American Bar Association
• John Baird President and Chairman, Baird and Warner, Inc.
• Archibald McClure Senior Vice President, Quaker Oats
• John Foster President, Joseph T. Ryerson & Son/Inland Steel
• Oran Little Dean Emeritus, College of Agriculture, University of Kentucky
• Jack Ragsdale President, North American International Livestock Exposition
• Royce Abbey President, Rotary International
• Reverend Mark Sisk Episcopal Bishop of New York
• Dr. Bernard Mirkin President, Children’s Memorial Hospital Research Center