dickZIMMERMAN
”It takes a long time to become Young!…and a lot longer to gain Experience, Confidence,
Respect, & Notoriety,
…and all to be able to capture it’s Artistic Expression”
PICASSO / ZIMMERMAN
Dick Zimmerman’s paintings capture life and energy, preserving fleeting moments with timeless artistry.
Inspired to pursue portraiture at the age of seven — his first subject being his own father — Zimmerman developed his craft throughout his teenage years, funding his artistic education through commissioned portraits. As a young artist in New York, he pioneered a bold approach: creating speculative portrait commissions based on black-and-white wedding announcements published in *The New York Times*, ultimately selling every one to the bride, the groom, or their families.
A native of New York, Zimmerman studied painting at the School of Visual Arts and the Parsons School of Design, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University. He pursued post-graduate studies at the Brooklyn Museum under contemporary fine art masters Raphael and Moses Soyer, followed by advanced studies at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris. He then spent six years refining his craft across Europe, with an extended residency in London, before settling in Los Angeles.
Over the past 45 years, Zimmerman has created more than 1,200 family portraits and built an internationally recognized Legacy Collection. His clientele includes some of the world’s most celebrated figures — among them Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, John Travolta, Jane Fonda, Paul Newman, Michael Jackson, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Aaron Spelling, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Pope Francis.
In 1973, Zimmerman received the rare honor of being commissioned by Salvador Dalí and his wife Gala to create their 50th wedding anniversary portrait. His iconic portrait of Michael Jackson, used for the landmark *Thriller* album cover, remains the world’s largest-distributed commercial portrait in history — now celebrating its 44th anniversary. Zimmerman has also exhibited his work internationally and held an exclusive exhibition at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach.
His work has been featured in more than 60 national and international interviews and on programs including *Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous*, CNN, *The Today Show*, *Entertainment Tonight*, *Access Hollywood*, and *Eye on LA*, among others.
In addition to his Los Angeles studio, Zimmerman maintains exhibition galleries in Miami, Key West, London,
and Dubai, and recently opened a studio in Tampa, Florida, to better serve his East Coast and European clients.
After scheduling a sitting, Zimmerman — also an accomplished photographer — will travel to a location of your choosing, anywhere in the United States or abroad. He personally designs, coordinates, and oversees every aspect of the sitting to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all participants. The photography session typically requires four to five hours, with adults needed for approximately one hour and children under five for roughly ten minutes. These photographs serve as reference material throughout the painting process, which is completed in his studio. The finished work is ready for framing within four months of the sitting date, then professionally framed, crated, and shipped.
Zimmerman is currently accepting only five commissions worldwide for 2026.
For inquiries, contact: dick.zimmerman@att.net
“I am always open to explore the possibilities of constant aesthetic changers!…that has always been my viewpoint and along with the addition of experimentation, a new direction is born towards
ever increasing Creativeity”
“My goal as a portrait artist is to create a timeless masterpiece — a work of the highest artistic craft — for every client, without exception. I hold each commission to an uncompromising standard of quality and aesthetic excellence. A painting is never truly finished; it is the artist alone who decides when it is ready.
Throughout the process, I continually revisit and refine my work — stepping away from the canvas for days at a time, then returning with fresh eyes to assess its progress with renewed clarity. I know a painting is complete when I fall in love with it, when it feels like part of my own family and I find myself reluctant to let it go. And yet I always do. What follows makes it worthwhile: the moment a client sees their portrait for the first time, sliding it from the crate, and I witness their reaction. That emotional response is my greatest reward. It is my deepest wish that every client experience the lasting joy of owning a museum-quality work of art — one they will be proud to display for many years to come. That is my motivation.”
— Dick Zimmerman
dickZIMMERMAN is sought after by the world’s most celebrated entertainers, dignitaries, politicians and influential personalities”
dickZIMMERMAN has been painting for over 45 years, creating portraiture’s for iconic figures, celebrities, CEOs, dignitaries, and families throughout the world. A native of New York, and a graduate of the School of Visual Arts, acquired his Bachelor of Arts degree at New York University with advanced studies at the Brooklyn Museum, with contemporary fine art masters the brothers Raphael & Moses Soyer, then developed his craft in London, Milan, Rome with advanced studies at the famed Musee D’orsay in Paris.
In 1973 dickZIMMERMAN had the rare honor of having the great artist of our time Salvador Dali and wife Gala sit for a Zimmerman Portraiture for their 50th wedding anniversary.
His iconic portrait of Michael Jackson used for the famed “Thriller” album cover is still the world’s largest distributed portrait in history.
His successful exhibition at the Mar-a-lago estate was graciously
orchestrated by President Donald J Trump.
Now accepting commissions worldwide. …to inquire about the commissioning of a Masterpiece Oil Painting, and our affordable pricing contact us at 727-224-3527 and we will answer any questions you may have.