1025 15th Street
Plano, TX 75074
214-403-9171

For release: March 6, 2007

For more information: call Gene Dillard, 214.403.9171 (cell)
gene@legacyportraitpainters.com

New portrait painting studio opens in Plano

[Plano, Texas]  Fine art portraits are being painted in Plano at a newly opened studio, Legacy Portrait Painters, at 1025 15th Street. Unique to Collin County, and perhaps to the Metroplex, the portrait studio operates from a storefront location in downtown historic Plano. Gene Dillard, studio/showroom owner and oil painter, hosts a small group of professional portrait artists, all of whom are members of the Portrait Society of America.

While portraits were the only choice many years ago, today people choose fine painted portraits over photography to gain the uniqueness of the painter’s process and technique.  The image created is very life-like, with unique qualities of light, color and form that only a fine artist can bring to the subject. Legacy Portrait Painters strongly prefer to paint from life, not from photographs, which also distinguishes the studio from others.

“As portrait painters, we work to capture the character, personality and spirit of a subject, creating a unique work of art rather than a copy of a photograph,” said Gene.  “The studio conditions allow us to see more color and detail than any photograph could ever provide.”

From children to adult, portrait sittings are relatively short and comfortable. They can be at the client’s home or place or business; at least two sittings are usually required and more are sometimes desired. Portraits can be head and shoulders only or three-quarters to full length. Portraits are often tributes to family members, business executives, noted public figures or anyone wishing to secure a great likeness of a person that will endure for ages to come.

Marine Corporal Nick Turner’s portrait is on display in the showroom window. He stood for his portrait in his dress blues after his tour in Iraq.

“I was extremely impressed,” said Nick. “Those guys have talent.” 

He said his mother cried when she saw the portrait. “It was extremely lifelike – it looked just like me,” Nick reported. “My entire family was wowed.”  

The artists, Gene, Don Mullins and Perri Sparks, excel in capturing the personality of an individual, as well as the likeness.

Gene is well known in advertising circles for his experience as an art and creative director for major national and regional agencies. He began painting and drawing at an early age and has a degree in fine art from the University of Texas at Austin. He studied at the Art Center School in Los Angeles, and has taught at Southern Methodist University, the Art Institute of Dallas and in the School of Visual Arts at the University of North Texas.

Don Mullins is one of only five Texas artists who have won awards from the Portrait Society of America. Don was taught primarily by professional landscape painters and later by the instructors at the Lyme Academy of Fine Art in the classic tradition of figurative anatomy. His colorful and distinctive style attracts clients from families and the business community. He has also received awards for his work from Oil Painters of America, Artist’s Magazine and the Lyme Academy of Fine Art.

Perri Sparks spent years working as an art teacher and surgical artist where the precise portrayal of anatomy was critically important. Today, Perri creates full-sized figurative paintings with live models.  She enjoys working with colorful pastels as well as watercolor and gouache. Her paintings appeared in The Artist’s Magazine, The Pastel Journal, International Artist and The Best of Portraiture.

Showroom hours are primarily by appointment.
For more information, visit or call Gene at 214.403.9171.