5 Free

Portrait Spots

5 Free Portrait Spots

A Golden Tiger Studio portrait open call from Virginia Upshaw, the artist behind the studio.

I’m choosing 5 people or pets to paint as original portraits as part of a small launch celebration for Golden Tiger Studio. This is my way of kicking off the studio, creating new work, meeting a few new faces, and sharing the behind-the-scenes process as the portraits come to life.

The portrait itself is free — including the artwork fee and materials — but selected winners will cover packaging and shipping so the finished piece arrives safely.

I’ll work with each winner on reference photos, style direction, and overall vibe before I start painting — but the final creative direction will stay true to Golden Tiger Studio’s bold, expressive style.

Open call closes June 22. Winners announced June 23. (extended only 1 more week)

What?

Golden Tiger Studio is opening up 5 free custom portrait spots as part of the studio launch.

If selected, your portrait will be painted by Virginia Upshaw on a 24x30 premium canvas.

If selected, I’ll create an original portrait based on your submitted reference photos. I’ll choose the final style direction, but I will reach out to get a better sense of the person, pet, colors, personality, or general vibe before I begin.

The goal is to create bold, expressive portraits with a little Golden Tiger attitude — confident, colorful, a little wild, and definitely not mass-produced.

Why?

I’m Virginia, the artist behind Golden Tiger Studio. I’m launching the studio and building out my portrait portfolio, so I wanted to start with people connected to my world — friends, family, friends-of-friends, early followers, and anyone curious enough to say, “Sure, paint my face. Let’s see what happens.”

This open call helps me create new work, share the process, and introduce more people to the studio.

It also gives a few people the chance to get a custom portrait without paying the full artwork fee. Everybody wins.

How?

1. Submit by June 22- Fill out the portrait entry form before the deadline. See Below.

2. Follow Golden Tiger Studio - Follow along on Instagram so you can see updates, behind-the-scenes process, and the final reveals.

3. Join The Golden Roar- Sign up for The Golden Roar, my studio newsletter with art updates, studio chaos, and occasional growling.

4. I’ll choose 5 portraits - Selected portraits will be announced on June 22, and I’ll contact each selected person directly.

5. Artwork is free; shipping is not - The portrait artwork and materials fee are waived. Selected participants will only be responsible for packaging and shipping costs once the artwork is complete.

Your Questions, Answered

  • Anyone can submit, but this is especially for friends, family, early supporters, new followers, and people who are genuinely excited about Golden Tiger Studio.

    You can submit:

    • Yourself

    • A family member

    • A friend

    • A partner

    • A pet

    • Someone meaningful to you

    Most selected portraits will be people, with possibly one or two pets chosen.

  • Each selected portrait will be an original artwork created by Virginia Upshaw, artist and founder of Golden Tiger Studio.on a 24x30 premium canvas.

    The final artwork will be created in my style, which may include bold color, expressive marks, graphic elements, unexpected choices, and a little bit of studio mischief.

    Each painting could take 2-3 weeks and then needs about 2 weeks of drying time. I can only paint one at a time so your patience is appreciated. ;)

  • Good reference photos make a huge difference.

    Please submit photos that are:

    • Clear and in focus

    • Taken in good lighting

    • Close enough to see the face clearly

    • Not overly filtered

    • Has some character (added props like hats, glasses, jewelry- get weird!)

    • True to the person or pet’s personality

    Best case: send 3–5 photos so I have options.

    For people, casual photos are totally fine. For pets, try to include a clear face photo and one full-body or personality shot if you have it.

  • Yes — the artwork and material fees are waived for the 5 selected portraits.

    But -the only cost selected participants will need to cover is safe packaging and shipping once the portrait is finished.

    Because these are painted on 24x30 premium canvases, shipping needs to be handled carefully so the artwork arrives safely and does not show up looking like it fought a raccoon in transit.

  • If you’re selected, I’ll contact you after the June 23 announcement with next steps.

    I may ask for a few extra reference photos or quick notes about the subject’s vibe, colors, or personality. You’re welcome to share preferences, but the final creative direction will be handled by Virginia Upshaw / Golden Tiger Studio so the portrait stays true to the studio’s bold, expressive style.

    Because these are original paintings, timing may vary depending on the portrait, materials, drying time, and studio schedule. I’ll share updates as the work progresses, and once the painting is complete, we’ll coordinate safe packaging and shipping.

    By participating, you also give Golden Tiger Studio permission to share the artwork, process photos, and videos for promotional use.

  • By submitting, you understand that:

    • Submitting does not guarantee selection.

    • Five portraits will be selected.

    • Entries close on June 22 (extended).

    • Selected portraits will be announced on June 23.

    • The artwork fee is waived for selected participants.

    • Selected participants are responsible for packaging and shipping costs.

    • Golden Tiger Studio chooses the final creative direction.

    • Portraits are original interpretations, not exact photo reproductions.

    • Golden Tiger Studio may share the artwork, process images, videos, and final results on the website, newsletter, social media, or other promotional materials.

    • You must have permission to submit the reference photos you provide.

    • If you submit someone else’s image, you should have their permission.

    • Golden Tiger Studio reserves the right to choose subjects based on creative fit, reference photo quality, and project needs.

Submit Your Portrait Entry

Ready to toss your name into the jungle? Fill out the form below by June 22 (extended 1 week) to be considered for one of the 5 free Golden Tiger Studio portraits. Selected portraits will be announced on June 23.