November 4, 2009 - 2:23pm

Bravo for Star Portraits!

Now and again, there’s a television program that makes me want to run out, buy a Starbucks grande hot chocolate (with whipped cream) and settle into the couch for a TV + sugar treat. Right now it’s Bravo’s Star Portraits, the 30-minute art fix based on the successful BBC series of the same name. It’s so creatively inspiring, you’ll almost want to sprint to Curry’s and purchase a giant canvas and some oil paints, get them home and have absolutely no idea what to do with them. 

Hosted by elegant Broadway star Louise Pitre, the series profiles Canadian artists by bringing three together at a time to paint their interpretation of the same Canadian celebrity. After meeting their subject and getting a feel for the various layers of their personality, the artists have two weeks alone with their canvases to recreate what has grabbed them about the star. Then at the grand unveiling, the star has the honour of choosing which portrait to add to their personal art collection.

But unlike the Project Runway reality genre, here everyone’s a winner! HURRAH! The “losers” get to see their masterpieces either at the Portrait Gallery of Canada or auctioned at Joyner Waddington's, with the proceeds going to the celebrities' charity of choice. It’s a genius idea and even more genius to turn a TV show into an after-event. If you’re feeling wealthy and want to own a piece of Olympic figure skater Elvis Stojko or former first lady Margaret Trudeau, the auction will be on Tuesday, November 26 at 6 p.m. at 111 Bathurst Street, in Toronto.