The 10" x 14" oil portrait of this handsome jovial man has a nice story to go along with it. It is a little hard to explain but stick with me...Two 40-something men, one of whom I've know since highschool, contacted me to create a portrait as a gift for their good friend who just lost his father to illness.
The grieving friend's father had always hung a painted portrait of his father (the grandfather) in his office at work. That old portrait, smiling down on the father as he worked, brought back fond memories and served as a source of inspiration and solace.
So these two 40-something men, along with several other long time buddies, wanted to give their grieving friend the same feeling of his father smiling down upon him. We worked from multiple photos and met several times during the process to ensure a good likeness. Now their grieving friend has a portrait of his father, just like his father did--the tradition continues.
I've never met the friend but I hope the painting brings him the same inspiration and solace his father's father's portrait did.
Confused? Sorry, it's hard to explain the relationships (lots of fathers, lots of friends).
Anyway, my point is I was really touched by the big hearts that these men exhibited as they pulled together such a thoughtful gift for their grieving friend. And as an artist, it was nice to be a part of the healing.
