After six years of intensive study in the ateliers of leading bay Area artists, followed by recognition in a national competition, Richard Gelernter embarked upon his career as a portraitist in 1991. Over the years his clients have included members of Congress, corporate leaders, Bay Area socialites, and owners of fine horses and prize winning show dogs. Toward the beginning of his career, he sold a painting of an outdoor white rose to Senator Dianne Feinstein. His “Floral Portraits”, often painted from the client’s own garden or favorite variety, are now hanging around the U.S., and in Europe and Japan.

Recently, while continuing to paint portraits and experiment in the abstract, Gelernter returned to his roots as a dedicated classical realist, and has embarked on a comprehensive series of still-life and outdoor scenes.

"I compare my version of the artist’s profession to that of the classical musician. My mission is to embrace an inspired composition (a face, a flower, a string of pearls), render it with accuracy through my special expertise, and deliver a creative statement that will satisfy viewers for generations to come"