Whether her subject is penguins or people, it's personality that moves the paintbrush of artist Miriam Schulman. Schulman's charming portraits, both human and animal, express individuality with both humour and dignity.

Portraits of children are one of Schulman's specialties, and getting on paper each child's spirit and essence is part of her talent. "An important part of my work is not technical, " Schulman told the Inquirer. By observing children acting spontaneously, Schulman avoids a posed studio look and paints them "in a way that captures their spirit and tells a story."

"I like to show who they are," Schulman said. With siblings Schulman likes the children to engage in some activity. Her portraits then show the feelings they have for one another."I like to show their relationship," she said.

Schulman works from photographs she prefers to take herself, although there are some occasions, which Schulman calls "parent moments, " when a parent snaps a moment "only they can get." She describes one of her portraits of her daughter taking a ribbon in a kickboard race at the Scarsdale Pool. "I made a painting that showed how proud she was. You can't contrive that. Only a parent can get that shot."

When Schulman takes the photos for her commissions, "I am in control of the subject and the composition and can bring out the best." Sometimes she needs more time with the subjects, but "they don't have to sit still for me. They just have to be with me."

A resident of Scarsdale for 10 years, Schulman lives in Greenacres with her husband Ronald and children Talia, 9, and Seth, 6. She has had several solo exhibitions in 2006 including at the Rye Nature Center, Larchmont Library, Greenburgh Library, Greenburgh Town Hall abd the Greenwich Art Society. She is a member of the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, Mamaroneck Artist Guild, the Scarsdale Art Association and the Greenwich Art Society. The New Jersey native studied with noted artist in her home state, Elise Morenon and Mel Stabin.

It was a fourth grade teacher who recognized Schulman's artistic abilities. "She brought it out of me and made me feel special, " Schulman recalled. Although she didn't take formal art classes in high school, she drew and painted on her own. At Dartmouth College she studied art and art history and spent time in the art studios on her own. After Dartmouth she earned a master's degree from M.I.T and began a career in finance.

In 2004 she participated in the Scarsdale Art Asociation fall outdoor show which gave her encouragement. She entered a portrait of her son in a Batman costume in the annual Women's Club art show. Her painting won first prize. In the all Westchester competition, her portrait again won first. Her career as a professional artist took off.

Schulman's portraits are much in demand, which has forced her to become very disciplined with her time. Workouts at the gym have given way to mornings spent in her home studio painting and catching up on administrative work before picking up her children from school. Once a week she works with a live model at the Edward Hopper House in Nyack. "It's critical to work with a live model, " she said.

Schulman also feels the need to "refuel the creative well." She enjoys going into the city to see art shows. Her recent favorite has been "Americans in Paris" at the Metropolitan Museum.

"Mary Cassatt's mothers and children have had a big influence on me," Schulman said.

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