Rainer Andreesen

Short Biography

Creating portraits is something Rainer Andreesen has been doing as far back as he can remember.Born in 1963 in Prince Rupert, B.C. Canada, Rainer's artistic ability was encouraged throughout his childhood and adolescence.With a desire to paint and the urging of his art instructors, Rainer pursued a career in art by attending a four year intense Arts and Design program at Capilano College in Vancouver, Canada.In 1986, after graduating with honors, Rainer excelled in the advertising industry with design and illustration at a top Ad agency and Design studio for six years. In that time, he also opened up a successful design studio where a fashion photographer client encouraged him to model on a project. Shortly after that Rainer was recruited by an exclusive modeling agency in Milan Italy, and worked with such clients as Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Valentino, Hugo Boss and Zenga. While traveling Europe for three years, Rainer had the unique opportunity to study the paintings of the European masters and sketch and paint at every opportunity. Following his European adventures, New York beckoned and now remains Rainer's main place of residence. With successful shows in Los Angeles where he also resided for eight years, Rainer has established himself with a strong client base and has had pieces collected by celebrities such as Ben and Jennifer Affleck, Nathan Lane, Clive Davis, JJ Abrams, Alfred Molina, Whoopie Goldberg, Martin Short, Laura Linney, Alan and Arleen Alda and David Hyde Pierce. With his fascination of portraiture, Rainer has enjoyed capturing not only a likeness, but also the spirit and depth of his subjects. His influences range from John Singer Sargent to Robert Henri and is inspired from the people and experiences that surround his New York life. His studio is now in upstate New York where he spends most of his time painting commissions.