Zara Cimone is currently on hiatus and will return February 2025 for the third annual Black History Month art showcase.
For new art, check out the Artwork section!
Please continue scrolling for portrait information.
Oil Painting Portraits:
Zara Cimone’s Oil Painting Portraits and commissions are currently on pause until April 2025! If you are interested in purchasing an oil painting portrait of yourself, a pet, a family member, or more, please sign up via email or Instagram DM. Space is limited, so book an appointment now, or join the wait-list! All information is listed below.
The full price of a portrait is $225.
These portraits will be painted on a 24 x 30 inch stretched canvas with oil paint.
For all portraits, a $75 down payment is required. The down payment must be paid in order to book an appointment, but it is not required in order to join the wait-list. All of the payment methods that are accepted include Zelle, Venmo, Cash app or cash.
To schedule an appointment or join the wait-list, please contact Zara Cimone via email or Instagram DM. Once the down payment is received, the appointment will be booked and the client will receive an invoice for the payment.
Once the appointment is booked, it is non-refundable, but it can be rescheduled if necessary.
Acquiring Reference Photos:
In order for Zara to paint these portraits, she needs a reference photo to work from.
Clients are free to choose the setting that they want their portrait to be in. For example, the background of the portrait can be in a museum, in Central Park, in front of a bar, in a home setting, etc. Captivating and creative indoor/outdoor scenes are strongly encouraged, and presentable attire is required.
Clients have two options of how they can have their photo taken. 1) Clients can submit a photo via email or Instagram DM that is in accordance with Zara’s photo guidelines below, or 2) Clients can meet Zara in person (in a public place) and Zara will take the picture she will be working from there.
Zara will not do home visits outside of members of the RFO Collective. If a client would like their portrait to be in a home setting, please prepare to have another person take the picture.
Photo guidelines - no selfies/mirror selfies; natural or dramatic lighting is accepted, and flash photos are subject to approval; if full body photos are submitted, they will be cropped to fit the canvas; chest up/torso up photos are preferred; all photos must be clear, no blurries (if the subject is clear and the background is blurry, that’s fine); interesting angles are encouraged and subjects are not required to look directly at the camera; smiling with teeth is fine but not preferred; jewelry, creative accessories, and vivid scenery are strongly encouraged.
Zara reserves the right to not accept photos that do not look right for the portrait, or if they are not in accordance with her guidelines. Portrait examples below.
FAQs:
Can I request personalized designs to be in my portrait even if they deviate from the photo taken?
No, Zara Cimone will work directly from the photos taken, and she cannot accommodate specific customization requests. She is happy to work with her clients to make sure all are satisfied with their portrait, or if any small embellishments are requested. For specific questions, contact Zara directly.
How long will the portraits take?
Please expect at least a 60 day turn around for portraits. Zara will contact clients if necessary, should anything interfere with the agreed upon date.
Can I get a nude portrait?
These portraits are intended to be painted from the chest up. If the photo follows the guidelines stated above, Zara will paint nude portraits. Remember that accessories and scenery create a tasteful and elegant environment, but she reserves the right to decline she feels it is necessary.
Can I get a portrait of my pet?
Yes, for animals, I offer a discounted price of $175. Please keep in mind that the same photo requirements stated above apply.
What if I want a portrait of more than one person or animal?
Two people and/or animals total will be allowed in a portrait. The price for two people/animals will be $250, and the price for two animals in one painting is $200. If the portrait requested includes both a person and an animal, the total price remains $250.
How will I know where I am on the wait-list?
Zara will keep clients updated via email or Instagram DM. Please note that all bookings made with a down payment of $75 will be prioritized over clients on the wait-list.
How will deliveries be done (in NYC)?
For NYC residents, Zara and the client will communicate pick up times and location options. Zara is willing to deliver portraits to a home address within reason, and punctuality is mandatory. For clients living in Staten Island or New Jersey, Zara will not do home deliveries and pick up locations must be mutually determined.
What if I live outside of NYC?
For clients living outside of NYC, photos must be submitted following the guidelines of option one as stated above. As for deliveries, portraits will be mailed to the client depending on the location. Mailings are not included in the current price and clients are responsible for mailing costs.
If clients are unreasonably late or a no-show for deliveries and/or pick ups (without communication), Zara will reschedule no more than once. Deliveries and/or pick ups must be made no later than one month past the finishing date.
