Bio

Stanley Rayfield realized his love for art early in life, pursuing his passion before graduating high school. In 2009, Stanley graduated from a nationally ranked fine arts program, Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts in Richmond, VA with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Communication Arts. He furthered his study by undergoing intensive training in classical realism through Grand Central Atelier in Long Island, NY. Stanley cites his Christian faith and the likes of Henry O.Tanner and John Singer Sargent as some of his sources of inspiration.

Stanley’s portraits possess a photo-realistic likeness and skillfully capture the soul and spirit of the subject. With this gift, portraiture became central in Stanley’s fine art career, most notably when he entered the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Portrait Competition at age 19. The painting of his father entitled, “Dad”, earned 2nd place in the competition. Currently, Stanley enjoys mainly producing Fine Art paintings and drawings for collectors and museums. He has honed his portraiture skills throughout the years and has been fortunate to have his award-winning fine art portraits acquired by The United States Pentagon, museums, one being Virginia Museum of Fine Art, universities, collectors, as well as featured in prominent art publications. Collectors of Stanley’s artwork include Academy Award-winning director, Spike Lee. In 2022 Stanley painted the official portrait of the 73rd Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam. Stanley is the first African American to paint a gubernatorial portrait in the state of Virginia.

Stanley has displayed his artwork at several solo shows with Glave Kocen Gallery in Richmond VA, regional and national competitions, and group exhibitions. He has painted U.S. Armed Forces Service Members, local county dignitaries, University dignitaries, theologians, CEOs, pets, and a host of other subjects. These subjects and more, Stanley continues to paint with the same passion he discovered at the onset of his career and the same heart he possessed to create his cherished, “Dad” in 2008.

CV

Stanley Rayfield

B. 1987 - New Orleans, LA

Education 

2005 - 2009 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University

2010 – Summer Intensive, Grand Central Atelier

2013 – Summer Intensive, Grand Central Atelier

Solo Exhibitions

Glave Kocen Gallery Richmond, VA  2011, 2013, 2015, 2017

Richmond Times Dispatch Richmond, VA  2016

Group Exhibitions

Current Art Fair Group Show  Richmond, Va 2018 - 2019

Glave Kocen Gallery Annual Group Show Richmond, VA  2011- 2020

Capital One Richmond, VA 2013

Old West Museum Wyoming, 2009

Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery   Washington, D.C. 2009

Publications

Fine Art Connoisseur October 2020

Realism Today   March 2020

Virginia This Morning 2010, 2016 Interview link

Richmond Magazine November 2011, February 2016

Richmond Times Dispatch February 2016

American Art Collector December 2011

American Art Collector   December 2011

The Artist Magazine    April 2010

Washington Post   November 2009

Richmond Times Dispatch November 2009

Permanent Collection Works

Virginia State Capitol– 1 work (Official portrait of the 73rd Governor of Virginia)

U.S. Pentagon – 2 works

Virginia Museum of Fine Art – 3 works

Morris Museum of Art  – 6 works

Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center- 2 works

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts- 1 work 

Additional Works 

2014 Commission for 25th Anniversary of the Academy Award-nominated film “Do the Right Thing” produced and directed by Spike Lee 

Awards

2018 Portrait Society of America Members Competition- Finalist

2017 Virginia Commonwealth University Alumni 10 Under 10 – Honoree/Award Recipient

2009 Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition- 2nd Place