The Purpose

Portraits For Purpose is a charity auction established to increase awareness for modern painting and its functionality and benefit charities making a difference around the world. The 2018 event featured a silent auction of original paintings of iconic figures by New York City artist Tyler Loftis. Using the image and influence of these subjects, Portraits for Purpose showcased the impact art can have on a community, big or small, while bringing awareness to the art and functional application of painting.

The inaugural Portraits For Purpose was honored to partner with several leading charities including Help USA, Street Soccer USA, The Heart Fund, Wellness in the Schools, the Jonas Salk Legacy Foundation, the Humane Society, Solinetz-Zürich, LIFE Camp, and Studio in a School. Through Portraits for Purpose, over $200,000 was raised for charity in 2018.

The inaugural event of this annual charitable initiative was held on November 14, 2018, at the Bowery Hotel. All paintings were available for auction via online auction prior to the November 14th silent auction.

The Process

The 2018 Portraits For Purpose featured portraits of nine iconic New York City figures, all of whom serve as significant leaders in their respective industries. Each sitter was invited to join Tyler in his studio in lower Manhattan, where, over the course of multiple sessions, he meticulously painted the sitter in his unique style. 

Subjects like the late Muhammad Ali who were unable to join Tyler in the studio had their portraits painted from a private, never-before-seen photo, shared exclusively with Tyler by the subjects or their families.

Sitters were also asked to select a charity of significance to them that would benefit from the sale of their painting. Upon completion of the event and online auction on November 14, 2018, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of each painting went directly to the respective sitter's charity of choice. 

The Portraits

The Paintings

The Painter

New York City-based painter Tyler Loftis has trained at the New York Studio School and the New York Academy of Art. Tyler extensively studied with influential 20th century artists putting him in direct connection with an unbroken line of European artists. He also has traveled at length throughout Europe studying the old masters. This exposure and learning gave birth to Tyler's unique painting style. Rooted in meticulous observation of how the subject matter interacts with the surrounding space, Tyler paints slowly and deliberately, with large works often taking months, sometimes years, to complete. 

Originally from Michigan, Tyler is the founder of AllArtWorks, and online art platform connecting original one-of-one pieces with homes. Tyler has spent a large part of his career outside his studio helping artists across the US show and sell their artwork, and is passionate about bringing art to the forefront of middle American culture by highlighting local talent and the functional and cultural impact art can have. To see Tyler's work, visit tylerloftis.com.