i love them! they are much more classy than something snapped at an olan mills in the mall. i like how they are plain, just the person - nothing to distract. now a days everyone has pictures of themselves/children/engagement/etc prancing around in a meadow/sharing an ice cream cone (who does that)/or something else silly.

my grandparents had portraits done of my dad and his sisters when they were young. they hang in the formal living room at my dad's house. i love them, and hope i inherit them one day.

This is a great question. My mother is an artist and drew oodles of sketches of me as a child. I have one small portrait hung in my bedroom, but I've always felt a little awkward about hanging it in a public space in my home. My mother also did a very large self-portrait of herself back in the 70's (in her early 30's), and that portrait is now the spitting image of ME (in my early 40's). I love it... but I've always felt weird about displaying it for anyone but myself to see. It seems somehow very personal.

I have a Tom Scott portrait of my grandmother, scandalous in its day because her shoulders are exposed. Its amazing, and belongs in a place of importance.

AT posted an inspiring roundup of portraits here. I like the idea, and it might be fun to "hide" the personal portraits among a group of anonymous ones.

I love them. I did one of my mother, which is kind of stylized and not photorealistic at all, and l also have a couple black and white ones of me as a child that my parents comissioned. I'm always drawn to portraits, I find them so interesting - either people I know or strangers.

If they are beautiful to you, then hang it. I have a small portrait of myself as a child in my office and one of my mother as a young woman in the guest room.So far, only one person has made the connection. to most people, they are just pretty.

@Lazy_Lurker - your link didn't work for me :(

I don't have any portraits, but I too like the idea. Maybe the key is to have a younger one of yourself done? And I think if it is surrounded by portraits of other family members, it is not narcissistic at all!

Anyone know any good sources for portrait artists? A broad price range would be nice for us more frugal folk!

I'm dying to have a portrait of myself shipped up from my parents' home, because it was done by a serious artist, is super-bright and colorful and fun, and I finally have the perfect spot for it after living in a bunch of small bedrooms (a mostly-white office with very little direct light so it wouldn't fade the colors). My boyfriend thinks it's weird to hang a painting of yourself, but otherwise this great gift would go to waste and continue sitting in storage. Grr.

I have two black and white photographs taken by a good friend of mine while she was in art school. I'm in the foreground of a complex composition, and it's hard to tell it's me unless you're really looking. They are hanging as part of a gallery wall in my bedroom and I don't feel narcissistic about it. The pictures represent my friend more than me, and I like having that reminder of her and the happy times we shared together during college.

My husband and I just received a HUGE portrait of us as a wedding gift. I love it as a painting but can't bring myself to hang it in our home...it's just too weird!

I think portrait of ancestors are very cool.
My husbands parents have portraits of their grandparents hanging on walls. It is interesting to see the class difference with both set of greatgrandmothers especially...but they are both wearing incredible facial expressions.
He likes to say it proves he comes from 'intense' people.

Great idea! I love vintage and contemporary portraits of people and animals and have them scattered all over the house.

I had a an old photo of my mother and I from the '70's done in a kind of cartoon by an Etsian with me eating McDonald's that's in the kitchen. I was about 4 or so. And one of me sitting on my parents bed when I was about two...a pastel that's in our bedroom. Both are cute photos and the renditions were even better! Shops below:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/EmmieBean

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tushtush

As for a serious adult portrait of myself...nah.

My mother had silhouette cutouts made of my siblings and me when we were young children. She recently decided to give each of us our silhouette portrait. I love mine, but it feels weird to hang it in my own house. I like your idea of hanging it among other family pictures, because keeping it in a drawer just seems wrong given its sentimental value. (It's clearly me because my name in printed under the silhouette.) Thanks for this post.

Miller8786, you can still access the site. Open the link in a new window and remove the www.appartmenttherapy.com at the beginning and the " at the end and you are in business.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/portraits-inspi-127318
That should work, sorry for the messed up link!

What about combining painted portraits and old photos? Does anyone think that might work?

I think painted portraits are wonderful! Pretty rare these days. Personally, I would feel weird having one of myself-but perhaps I would exchange them amongst my siblings? I would not feel weird having one of my sisters or brothers. Then our children and grandchildren could re-exchange them down the line. If you are lucky enough to have painted portraits of family members, I say hang them! Great conversation starters.

I love portraits! In fact, I just commissioned a family portrait for my husband's birthday. (http://peninacomix.wordpress.com/2012/02/16/dance-dance-dance/) He hasn't decided yet if it will hang in our home or his office, but either way, I think it's great. Most people have photographs of themselves on their walls. Why would a drawing or painting be any more narcissistic?

I don't know that I'd hang a portrait of myself unless it was part of a larger collection of family portraits.

I love portraits, but dont get something fussy and old fashioned, there are a lot of great contemporary artists out there. unless you live in Downton Abbey a John Singer Sargent type portrait doesn't work...IMHO.:)

I love all painted and drawn portraits, all kinds, in any room you want. If you have a huge super-flattering picture of yourself over the mantle, then I'm going to think you are an egomaniac and probably laugh at you later, just so you know.

I'm a newbie artist. I decided to try a self-portrait using the pop-art style. I was proud of it, so I hung it in my condo. I still love it.

My parents have always had portraits of creepy little colonial people hanging around. Doesn't seem odd to me.

My aunt is an artist and did a self portrait back in the '60's that I hope hope hope I can have one day. It hangs in her living room and looks fabulous.

I have no shame. I've hung two self portraits in shades of red over my bed. I was single, I'm an easy model to get a hold of, and no one can tell me anything about it.

We have a large Elsa Dorfman polaroid portrait of our family hanging in our entry. It's like a greeting, a way of saying hello to everyone entering.

I think it could be a little cheesy if it were more pseudo- arty or glamorous or OTT, but you know what - people should be able to hang what they want in their houses. Who am I to judge?

my sister is a fabulous portrait artist: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ruth-shively-fine-art/138650306157115?ref=ts

@miller8786: please look at this FB page. it's my sister, almost all she does is portraits. and commissions:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/ruth-shively-fine-art/138650306157115?ref=ts

I have a cheap sidewalk portrait of myself painted by a street artist in Paris 40 years ago. It's actually pretty well done but I have it stored in a box in the garage because it never occurred to me to hang up a portrait of myself...that is until my daughter found this photo of me on the Associated Press website: http://www.apimages.com/Search.aspx?st=k&remem=x&kw=690519048&intv=None&shgroup=-10&sh=10

The photo was taken when I was a student at Berkeley and shows me walking under the bayonettes of national guard troops sent in by Reagan. I didn't know about the photo 'til I got an hysterical phone call from my mother after she saw on the front page of my hometown newspaper. So, AT readers, do you think it would be in bad taste to have the photo blown up and hang it in my dining room? I thought I might create a "red" wall, with a signed lithograph of Pete Seeger, a little Zapatista doll, and probably some political quote. I have quite a lot of art, most of it plein air oil paintings so this display would be a complete departure. I'd love to have your opinion.

P.S. My mother has portraits of her parents that I would love to hang in my house someday.

"A thing of beauty is a joy forever." If it's a lovely painting/sketch/photo then show it off. It's your house, put the things you love in it. There are real things to worry about, hanging a piece of art that you like should never be one of them.

A couple of summers ago, my husband and I were at an art fair where a guy was doing oil portraits (sketches, really) on the spot. We got both of us in separate paintings, and had them framed and hung in our living room. I love them, and I feel like they are less narcissistic than our wedding portraits that are also on display in out living room. It's a fun, personal addition to our art collection, a great memory, and a little goofy (my husband has a ball cap on in his portrait).

Lots of commenters mention that they love the idea of potraits of ancestors. But if you never have one of yourself done, then your descendants will never have it! You have to start the chain somehwere.

I also agree that if you combine a self-portrait with other family portraits it's way less awkward. Though, I have tons of photos of myself and family in my home, so I don't know why a painted portrait is that much different.

I have an abstract portrait of myself, done 20 years ago (yipes!), hanging in my living room. People compliment me on it all the time, and usually don't realize it's me unless I tell them.

I have a long and narrow entry hallway that I have been planning for a while to line on one side with family photos - I have some very good black and white ones from the 60s and 70s, and a few great recent ones too. I was inspired by a downstairs neighbor whose entryway is all Broadway posters - why shouldn't the entry to your house reflect what you care about most?

I am a portrait artist and would like people to get past the fear of hanging portraits in their home. I look at portraits as also telling a story, there's a lot of unknown's going on behind every person's face.
Take a look, https://www.facebook.com/pages/ruth-shively-fine-art/138650306157115 or
http://www.flickr.com/photos/17178459@N02/.
Thanks.
Ruth

I used to do oil portraits, and did a few for money. Unfortunately, one of my earlier works was of my sister-and my father WILL NOT take the damn thing down. My sister and I both hate it. But, since neither of us live with him anymore, I guess we don't have much of a say. I think having a portrait of yourself when your younger isn't too weird. If your squeamish, commission a portrait with yourself and a loved one. Then it looks more like you are commemorating a relationship than your own vanity.

My fiance's sister has a beautifully painted portrait of herself, by their paternal grandmother. It hangs in her lounge room, on it's own, for everyone to see and comment on. My issue with this is, my fiance's sister is very narcissistic and likes to point out that SHE was the ONLY family member to have TWO portraits done by THEIR paternal grandmother who was HAILED as THE BEST painter of her time in New Zealand. Get my point?

I do love portraits and if the person/s were meaningful people to you, why shouldn't you display what you love, where you live? Just don't brag about a personal portrait.

I think in a world where we are increasingly bombarded by perfect digital representations of ourselves, a painted/hand-drawn portrait is utterly refreshing. I suspect that demand will grow for items like these.
I am a portrait artist myself, and I have grown up in a family of artists. A portrait has never represented something "narcissistic" in our family. They have almost always been done by a family member or a close friend and they represent the artist as much as the person in the portrait. I suppose that the connection to the artist is what gives it a different non-egotistical meaning for my family, but I still find that a family portrait done by a paid artist is welcome.

Elizabeth, is that portrait of your mother? If so, please ask her to display it for all to see, it's gorgeous!

I am so sad I let my bf talk me into getting rid of the two nude portraits some friends painted of me at an art party. I had them hanging over my bed, and they were awesome.

Big Bang Theory: Amy and Penny. Nuff said.

Portraits are like any other art -- hang the ones you love, don't hang the ones you don't. It might be a bit "diva" to have a formal portrait in your diamonds and furs over the fireplace, but if you have it and love it what the heck?

I am not a fan of most portraits, but I have two pieces (one charcoal, one oil, neither of me) that might qualify and they are fine and in my "salon" arrangement. What I hate a lot are posed professional family photographs. Totally soulless and usually too prominent in people's living rooms, looking immensely kitsch. Yuk. (But even those, if you love them, it's YOUR house, display them!)

Some portraits are very specific to a person, and some have a more universal appeal, I guess you'd call it a more artistic quality. The artistic ones could go on anyone's wall, not just on a relative's or friend's.

The husband used to collect framed portraits of random strangers. They were either hilarious or just plain creepy, including a portrait of a boy scout from the 40s. You can usually pick them up on the cheap at thrift stores. And it makes for an interesting collection, as it is fun to make up stories behind such portraits.

I have a drawing of myself (possibly in charcoal?) that a friend of mine did in college for an art class. It's pretty large - maybe 16 x 24 - and no one thinks it actually looks like me. I'm not sure what to do with it. It's been in my closet for 10 or so years now.

My housemate recently gave me for my birthday an enlarged copy of a photo from 1971 of one of my family's rare gathering. It was taken by one of my brothers who was home on leave from Viet Nam. I'm perhaps ten years old. With the exception of my sister and myself, everyone is gone. What a treasure - it's one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever received.

If you want a portrait, why not reach out to some younger (and immensely talented) artists? Leon Doucette, creates moody, classic portraits where the personality of his subject shines:

http://leondoucette.blogspot.com/

check out his blog? maybe shoot him an email to inquire about rates? I'm sure he could whip up a really cool "sketchy" black and white rendering, if you're looking for a less formal portrait.

Yes to portraits of family, ancestors, pets...a big no to a portrait of yourself.

The etiquette books (Miss Manners, Emily Post) state that a painted portrait (including those of yourself) may be hung in public spaces -- ie, living room, dining room, entry hall. Photographic portraits, however, are relegated to semi-public or private spaces -- ie, study, family room, bedrooms, bedroom hall. Portraits of the owner (or the owner's wife) by Whistler, Sargent, Rembrandt, Gainsborough, etc were always hung prominently. Sort of like having granite countertops in the kitchen...

The biggest no-no is to buy antique oil paintings and pass them off as your own ancestors. AT recently showed a home where the owners acknowledged the "adopted" ancestors; I wouldn't want images of strangers just for the illusion of living like the Earl of Grantham.

I do have a large portrait of my great-great-great-great grandmother Dorothy from 1843, attributed to George Caleb Bingham but alas, not signed. It's in a gilt frame that's too ornate for most of the homes I've lived in, but Dorothy has enough presence to design around. It's not like I'm going to possess such a thing and not honor it, even if she drags my living room decor toward a style that's more formal than I might otherwise choose.

I have a custom portrait---it was painted as a gift, just for me---of Louis Armstrong. It used to hang in the entry of my house (it is in storage at present) and absolutely no one ever asked me why I had a painting of Louis Armstrong. I can't wait to hang it up again, but it needs a more worthy frame.

It depends..... paintings, photos and drawings of famyly members..... A portrait of yourself....A wall with pictures of you traveling, and of other people or places.... GREAT
A wall full of photos or drawings of yourself..... kind of creepy.

Giving out drawings or oil paintings of yourself as presents...... only, maybe to you mother or significant other..... Am I the only one that finds it weird when people give out pictures of themselves/children/family as presents?

I have two gorgeous portraits of my bulldogs adorning my kitchen, along with some other bulldog art. I think it is fun and kitschy and I love being able to have breakfast with my late, beloved pets, Pudge and Ethel Mae. Anyone who thinks they are weird would be too high-brow for my taste anyway.

One of my favorite pieces is a sketch a friend did of me while I was studying in college (I had no idea, so I look very natural). She gave it to me as a gift, and when I took it home, my mom pulled out a photo of her in the exact same position while she was studying in college. Having both of these works makes me happy, and it also shows how similar my mother and I are, when we're captured unawares.