Joshua Adam Risner | Fine Artist and Portrait Commissions

A Legacy of Excellence in Portraiture

Joshua Adam Risner is a preeminent classical realist specializing in fine art and private portrait commissions. Operating from his primary workspace, Rabbit Hill Art Studio, Joshua maintains an active private practice for a national clientele seeking museum-grade oil paintings.

Joshua is currently accepting new inquiries for executive, university, and family legacy commissions for the 2026/2027 studio calendar.

While serving as the Artist in Residence for the Michigan State Capitol, Joshua has shaped the visual record of American leadership. His portfolio includes seven official portraits on permanent display in the Michigan Capitol—most notably the gubernatorial portrayal of Governor Rick Snyder—and the portrait of Senator Debbie Stabenow in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C.

Rabbit Hill Art Studio: Museum-Grade Oil Commissions

From his private atelier, Joshua brings the same rigorous standards required by the State Capitol to every client. As a trained fine art conservator, his methodology ensures that every custom oil portrait is engineered for structural integrity. By utilizing historical pigments and archival supports, Joshua creates a "living presence" designed to maintain its luminosity and stability for centuries.

Academic Rigor & Technical Mastery

Joshua’s journey into classical realism is defined by a rare combination of 19th-century technique and modern academic rigor. He earned his BFA from Ashland University and was awarded a full tuition fellowship for his MFA from Kendall College of Art and Design.

This background in both the fine arts and the tactile precision of his early career has established Joshua as one of the Midwest’s most sought-after fine artists, blending traditional craftsmanship with a profound understanding of contemporary identity.