Amber Bahm - portrait artist at Arts on the Avenue festival in downtown Kelowna, British Columbia

Custom Portrait Artist

Realism & Surrealism Artwork

Any person, place or thing that you connect with can be brought to creative life with a custom portrait painting.

Artistic Styles, Methods & Mediums

I love to create highly detailed and realistic portraits and scenes. At the same time, I enjoy venturing beyond reality, infusing my work with imaginative elements to create surreal artwork.

My favourite tool for the realism artwork that I create is an airbrush with acrylic paint. Depending on the surface, I use different erasing or painting techniques to create highlights and shadows. These methods allow my drawing background to shine through, enabling me to create richly textured and detailed artwork that avoids the overly smooth and sometimes artificial finish typically associated with airbrushing.

Disco Queen is a surreal space scene painted on a motorcycle helmet.

surrealism artwork - portrait of blue woman in space blowing smoke out of her mouth that appears to be a sunset sky
pet portrait of a horse done with an airbrush

Portraits: Pets, People, Panda Bears

Portrait paintings are what I love most. A person, beloved pet or wild animal can become a beautiful work of art. For you to keep, or to give as a gift. Contact me for a portrait commission.

Connect With Me for Artwork Commissions

Whether you’re looking for a portrait on paper or a surreal scene on the outside of a building or boat, I can’t wait to hear your ideas. Let’s see if we’re a good fit for creative collaborations.

Fill out the commission request form and I will get back to you with a cost estimate.

Mixed media portrait of The Alpinist, Marc-Andre Leclerc

Mixed Media

Mixed media refers to artwork that incorporate a combination of different materials and techniques. I have developed my own unique style which combines realism created with an airbrush with a more contemporary art style for added interest.

The Alpinist Portrait

With this portrait of Marc-Andre Leclerc I added an Arc’teryx logo to the background using gold leafing. On the edges of the canvas as well as around Marc-Andre’s silhouette, I added textured paint with a palette knife to deviate from the realistic style of the portrait itself.

Interested in learning about the inspiration behind this portrait?

Creative Surfaces

Canvas options for your custom artwork are almost unlimited.

The Surface I Paint on Can be Part of the Story Behind the Artwork

A classic cotton or linen canvas will always be a great choice for displaying artwork. But just as I am inspired in my artwork by people who pursue their passions, the canvas for that artwork can help tell that story. Think surf boards and skateboard decks – decorative or not. And all other boards, for that matter. Custom painted motorcycle helmets, metal signs for the shop, leather jackets, guitars and more. I have assisted in painting indoor and outdoor murals alongside international muralist Kristin Grant. A feature wall in your home can be a beautiful way of adding artwork directly to and covering the whole wall.

realism portrait of beautiful woman on decorative surfboard leaning up against dock on beach
realistic portrait of woman giving the middle finger painted on vintage motorcycle helmet
Painting of pink and purple sunset with couple riding on motorcycle in foreground

Do you have an idea for a painting on a different surface, but you’re not sure if it’s possible?