En: Travis Simpkins

Travis Simpkins

Travis Simpkins is a freelance artist, with clients throughout the United States and Europe. He currently works with the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, creating artwork for an ongoing program. He also serves as an Art Advisor with the Massachusetts Senate.

Recently, Travis was commissioned by the Worcester Historical Museum to create portraits of the Salisbury family, which were displayed at the Salisbury Mansion alongside works by colonial-era portraitist, Gilbert Stuart. His draftsmanship has drawn praise from the office of Martin Kemp, art historian and world-renowned authority on Leonardo da Vinci.

Travis Simpkins is also a staff member of the Worcester Art Museum, working in different capacities over the past 18 years. His efforts and connections have culminated in the addition of more than 300 works of art to WAM's permanent collection, including 94 woodblock prints by Japanese artist Yoshida Toshi.

Mr. Simpkins holds a certification from the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection. He is a contributor to various art security forums, conducting research into art theft, preservation and archaeological ethics.

A triptych of local history… In 1793, Isaiah Thomas commissioned Paul Revere to create a set of silver Masonic Jewels for Morning Star Lodge in Worcester, Massachusetts. Six of the beautifully crafted pieces are currently on loan to the Worcester Art Museum, displayed alongside other examples of Paul Revere's masterful silversmithing. The jewels reflect an esoteric connection between two great Patriots of the American Revolution. These drawings depict Paul Revere, the Masonic Jewels of Morning Star Lodge, and Isaiah Thomas: Artist, Art, and Patron. Sketches by Travis Simpkins

Gallery

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  Arturo de Hoyos

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  Michael R. Poll

Happy 284th Birthday to George Washington… President Washington is one of my favorite historical figures. I have always admired him in terms of virtue, wisdom and character. Here are 3 renderings I have made of Washington in the past year, the first two based on statuary at the Massachusetts State House in Boston and the third depicting the colossal figure at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia.

Testimonials

Travis Simpkins

"Travis Simpkins is a dedicated lover of art. He protects it at the Worcester Art Museum. He creates it in the form of an amazing portfolio of sketches ranging from portraiture to interpretations of important art objects. And he preserves it via a weekly mailing of then-and-now photos of the WAM that accumulated quite a following and garnered him a great deal of publicity." -Anthony Amore, Director of Security at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Author of "Stealing Rembrandts" and "The Art of the Con"

"This is the nicest art rendering of myself I have ever seen." -Dr. Mark Koltko Rivera, Author of "Freemasonry: An Introduction" and Presenter on The History Channel

"You can see by the reactions of associates… overwhelming admiration for such artistic talent." -Stevan Layne, President of the International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection IFCPP

"A darn genius." -Chris Faraone, News & Features Editor at DigBoston

"Fabulous work. You really captured Bob in the sketch." -Donna Wittman, Vice President of Robert Wittman, Inc.

"I'm speechless… Color me impressed." -Michael Blanding, Author of "The Map Thief"

"It's nice to see someone in the art security field who also has great artistic talent." -Detective Don Hrycyk, LAPD Art Theft Detail

"In many ways it's more me than photographs generally are. You are very gifted, and I'm honored to have been your subject." -Ron Hansen, Author of "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford".