The Portrait Conversation

The Portrait Conversation is a portrait in words and paint. My goal as host, artist and conversationalist is to take everyone on a journey with the subject and get to know and understand them and their work at a deeper level than happens with casual conversation. It is an in-depth, inspirational long-form live interview show combined with a cool artistic twist. I paint my subject’s portrait while conversing with them. While the conversation unfolds I typically use my iPad using an Apple Pencil and the Procreate app to sketch them, sharing the process and progress of the portrait with the audience as it evolves. Please note this is not a class or tutorial and the focus is on my subject and their story, not on my art tools and technique. If you’re interested in learning digital painting, I have on-going education on my member website PaintboxTV.

The Portrait Conversation is a free live cast broadcast via a streaming Zoom webinar, starting at 10 am Pacific (1pm East Coast, 6pm UK). Each session normally lasts between 90 and 120 minutes and includes Q&A. All conversations are recorded and posted for you to enjoy watching asynchronously. You will only have to register once to attend any of The Portrait Conversations if you use the unique link that is emailed to you after you register.

Coming up:
Episode 21 – Date Tuesday, November 18th, 2025 (TBC)
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST

Jeremy Cooper, Audiologist – Apollo 13: Survival and The Lost Audio

Completed Episodes:


Episode 20 – Saturday, February 5th, 2022
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST



Susanne Goldstein, Transformation & Success Coach, Social Entrepreneur and Filmmaker —
Reinventing and Transforming in Business and Life



Episode 19 – Nov. 20, 2021


OceanMatt Horrigan, Oceanographer
Insights Into (and Under) the Oceans



Episode 18 – Sep. 11, 2021


Joe Costa, Historical Architect
Historical Restoration & Preservation



Episode 17 – June 12, 2021


Dr. Daniel C. McNamee, Neuroscientist
Understanding the Brain: Memory & Reasoning



Episode 16 – May 1, 2021


Dr. Stacey Efstathiou, Virologist
Q&A on COVID-19 Vaccines



Episode 15 – Apr. 3 and 10, 2021


Brooke Einbender, Artist
New Frontiers in Art: Adventures in XR (Extended Reality) & Cryptoart



Episode 14 – March 6, 2021


Laurence Gartel, Artist
Stories from the Pixel Road: From Warhol & the Amiga to the Rolls Royce of Art Cars


Episode 13 – Feb. 6 and 13, 2021

Dr. Nicholas Cole, Historian
The United States Constitutional Convention: Context, Compromises & Consequences


Episode 12 – Jan. 2, 2021

Dr. Stacey Efstathiou, Virologist
COVID-19 Vaccines and The Path Forward


Episode 11 – Dec. 5, 2020

Dr. Jennifer Pore, Nuclear Physicist
Discovering the Building Blocks of the Universe:
The Search for New Super Heavy Elements


Episode 10 – November, 2020

Professor Philip G. Zimbardo, Social Psychologist
The Psychology of Good & Evil to Everyday Heroes


Episode 9 – Oct, 3 and 10, 2020

Daniel Kottke, Computer Pioneer
The Fascination of Computers


Episode 8 – Sep. 12, 2020

Rachel Donovan, Bridge Engineer
A Unique Point of View


Episode 7 – Aug. 9, 2020

Kim Nalley, Jazz & Blues Vocalist
Stirring the Soul with Song


Episode 6 – July 2 and 9, 2020

Dave Eringa, Record Producer
The Art of the Mix

Episode 5 – June 2 and 9, 2020

George Gee, Bandleader
Swing Makes You Happy!


Episode 4 – May, 2020

Stacey Efstathiou, Virologist
Understanding Viruses


Episode 3 – May, 2020

Ursula Macfarlane, Director
Documentaries with Heart


Episode 2 – April, 2020

Ryan Francois, Dancer
From London’s East End to the Lindy Hop World Stage


Episode 1 – April, 2020

Debbi Sutton, Artist
My Life as Art