Oil portrait painting of Michigan Governor Snyder by Joshua Adam Risner

Joshua Adam Risner | Michigan Portrait Painter

Official & Private Portrait Commissions

Now Accepting Inquiries for 2026/2027 Private Commissions

"Commissioning a work of art is a special kind of journey. An oil painting possesses an enduring quality that transcends time, capturing the legacy and essence of a subject in a way that other mediums cannot replicate."

Joshua Adam Risner brings the same museum-grade technique used for the Michigan State Capitol to private individuals, families, and corporate boards. Every commission is a collaboration designed to create a "living presence" that will remain stable and luminous for centuries.


Private & Executive Commissions

While serving as the Artist in Residence at the Michigan State Capitol, Joshua maintains a private practice at Rabbit Hill Art Studio. He is available for a limited number of private portraits each year, including:

Family & Heirloom

Capturing generations in a timeless, classical style.

Executive & Judicial

Commanding portraits for boardrooms and chambers.

Posthumous & Memorial

Honoring legacy through archival reference and mastery.

Institutional Commissions

Joshua Adam Risner provides museum-quality oil portraiture for state institutions, academic leadership, and judicial collections. His work is held in permanent collections at the Michigan State Capitol and the U.S. Senate Office Building.

Notable Public Collections

  • Governor Rick Snyder – Official Gubernatorial Portrait, Michigan State Capitol
  • U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow – Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C.
  • William Webb Ferguson – Michigan's First African American Representative
  • Malcolm X – "The Seeds of a Pilgrimage," Lansing Community College
  • Dean Leo Kempel – Michigan State University School of Engineering

A Standard of Excellence

As a master of traditional oil painting and a professional conservator, Joshua ensures that every commission—private or public—is built to endure for generations.

Mastery of Materials: Every commission utilizes the highest quality museum-grade materials, including custom stretchers and hand-selected pigments.
The Conservator’s Eye: Because Joshua also specializes in art conservation, he applies a rigorous structural methodology to his work, guaranteeing structural stability for centuries.