Gary Hoffmann studied with the late R. H. Ives Gammell, who in turn was trained by such Boston notables as William Paxton, Edmund Tarbell, and Joseph DeCamp. This training has enabled him to build his career upon the great heritage and traditions of the Boston School of painting; sound draftsmanship, beautiful design, color, and strong characterization are always present in his paintings. As a longstanding member of Boston’s prestigious Guild of Boston Artists, Gary has received numerous awards including the Roger Curtis Award for Figure Painting.
His work has been honored and recognized with numerous awards over his 25-year career, including two Elizabeth T. Greenshields Memorial Foundation Grants, and two John F. & Anna Lee Stacey Scholarships. Gary has also received the Richard and Mary Schroeder Award for Outstanding Portraiture from the Copley Society, where he is a Copley Master. Gary has completed many important portrait commissions nationwide. Most recently he painted: William Burke, the headmaster at St. Sebastian's; Diedre Ling, the former headmistress at Middlesex School; the Honorable James Queenan, Worcester Courthouse; Drs. Raymond Gibbs and Salvador Mangano, Harvard Medical School; and Librarian John Dan for the Clements Library, University of Michigan. He was also honored to paint Representative J. Joseph Moakley, this masterpiece currently hangs in the U.S. Capitol.
"I strive to capture the look of nature whether it be a portrait, landscape, or still life. Trueness of form and color values within a beautifully designed composition is my objective. My work has been inspired by the 17th century masters, including Sir Anthony Van Dyck and Diego Velázquez, and the 19th and early 20th century painter John Singer Sargent."