At a recent portrait unveiling I attended in New York City, Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, shared his admiration for legendary dancer Judith Jamison by concluding, “Because you are, I am,” echoing the ancient African philosophy of Ubuntu. Having been a part of the Portrait Society of America for more than 20 years I can easily say the same about this amazing organization, “Because you are, I am!”

What a beautiful evening honoring the legendary dancer, Judith Jamison, at The National Arts Club! A brilliant artist and incredible career.

I had the honor of painting Seven-time GRAMMY®-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader Christian McBride for the music room in The National Arts Club in New York City. It was an incredible night honoring this jazz legend as he received Medal of Honor for Achievement in Music.

I recently had the honor of presenting my portrait of Sir Winston Churchill to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. Here is a write up from The International Churchill Society about the portrait presentation:

I stepped out of the cab in front of the National Arts Club in New York, just as I had a hundred times before. There stood the venerable old building, the home of the club for more than a century, towering over the gated and beautiful Gramercy Park—a small piece of relative tranquility carved out of a restless city just beyond its borders. Although it may have looked familiar to me, and countless others, it would never be quite the same again.

On November 7th, Dr Art Wheeler came to visit my studio. He was engaging and filled with such an energy that you could feel it and see it in the twinkle of his eyes from the moment you met him. As he sat in my studio with his beautiful wife, Lisa, I began our meeting as I do so many. I love people and can’t wait to learn more about the person I am about to paint. But, this day was different. I sat riveted as the celebrated physician began to talk. Very quickly he suggested his portrait might need to progress a bit faster than my normal commission. With barely a pause and very little change in the inflection in his voice, he told me he was dying of pancreatic cancer and only had weeks to live. “I likely will not make it to January,” he calmly told me.

Dirk Kempthorne is an impressive guy in every way. He served as Governor of Idaho, U.S. Senator from Idaho, Secretary of the Interior under President George W. Bush, and is now CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers. I was so honored to paint his official portrait for the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.

When I first got the call to paint Senator Specter for Yale Law School, I was instantly thrilled. Like many Americans who enjoy politics and C-Span TV, I had long known of the famous senator from Pennsylvania from his numerous interviews, Senate floor speeches, debates, and magazine and newspaper articles. The longest-serving United States Senator from the keystone state, he was a powerhouse of intellect and a person of unwavering determination. “Snarlin Arlen” as he was known by reputation, caused more than a touch of reservation in me. I hoped I could connect with this formidable senator in a way that would help me create a lasting portrait of the man.

Late one evening last week, I sat in a small room I had rented for the night in the historic National Arts Club just off Gramercy Park. The venerable old club is one of my favorite stops in New York City, and I treasure my membership there. It is filled with paintings, antique furniture, and a remarkable collection of artifacts, both decorative and exotic–it’s a magical place. No matter how often I visit, it has the effect of stepping through the wardrobe, similar to a C.S. Lewis novel, into another world–removed from the modern city just outside its interior.

This night, I had stopped for a brief stay as I traveled back home from an exciting journey to Paris. As the clock struck 11:00 pm, I sat comfortably nestled in an old armchair near a well-worn fireplace, the room dimly lit, and the air scented with a combination of stale chimney smoke and a newly varnished wood floor. Across from me–in a twin chair to my own–sat my mentor, hero, and friend Everett Raymond Kinstler. America’s preeminent painter of portraits had dropped by for a visit, and for the last two hours we had shared stories of clients, travels, and our favorite topic of all–painting.

Last night, a dear friend and extraordinary man, Gordon Wetmore, passed away after a brief illness. A prolific and talented artist, he also founded the Portrait Society of America. Gordon was a man of imposing physical stature with a gentle, kind spirit.

For over 40 years he has successfully painted hundreds of portraits for families, business, and institutions. He also illustrated several books, and his paintings from his travels represent a diary of Gordon’s love of the world around him.

One of my favorite parts of my job as an artist is meeting THE most fascinating people. Not only are you working to capture their outer likeness on canvas, you are also getting to know them as human beings…their unique, individual character and personality.

I just delivered a head portrait of a remarkably talented man. Once assistant to President Reagan for National Security Affairs, Mr. Stevens is now president of the National Association of Investment Companies. He also received the highest civilian honor from the Defense Department for distinguished public service. Oh, did I mention he also argued a case before the Supreme Court?!

I have always found painting noses to be so fun! They are incredibly different from person to person. No two noses are the same. Getting the structure of the nose is so important. Understanding that there are planes is invaluable. The goal of the artist is to create a nose on the face that feels three-dimensional. The nose should feel as though it comes forward from the face.

While in college taking my first painting class with my teacher, Dawn Whitelaw, an accomplished and gifted artist, she suggested that I go to the library and pick up a book on Everett Raymond Kinstler. She explained that I would be attracted to his work with my natural inclination toward a “brushy” style. Little did I know that my interest and study of Mr. Kinstler’s paintings would spark a long journey of discovery, finding many great artists along the way.

I often hear from prospective clients their concern over what age they should be painted or should have been painted, as if there is a perfect age for a portrait! “I should have been painted before I was 40!” more than one person has told me. Thank goodness not everyone feels that way. If given the chance, an artist can find what is beautiful or handsome about people at every age.

Artists have long enjoyed the addition of hands to any portrait…and suffered over the consequences! You’ve often heard that many people judge the quality of the portrait by the quality of the hands. Adding expression and personality, the addition of hands can greatly increase interest and likeness to any portrait.

Today Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia becomes the longest serving member of Congress in our nation’s history. With his combined 6 years in the House of Representatives and his unprecedented 9 consecutive terms in the Senate, he now totals over 56 years of service.

As an artist who has had the incredible honor of working for the United States Senate, I had the pleasure of meeting Senator Kennedy on two occasions in the last couple of years. The first was after he introduced me at the unveiling of my portrait of Senator Robert Byrd. I was immediately impressed with his approachable nature and genuine interest in others.

My dear friend and teacher, Everett Raymond Kinstler, was a student of the great painter Gordon Stevenson (1892-1982). Stevenson studied with both John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla. While in Spain working with the great master artist Sorolla, Stevenson was amazed at the clarity of color and mastery of value that came from the artist’s brush.

Sorolla taught that good color comes from good value and a SIMPLE palette.

Last week I had the most wonderful experience with a family I am painting from Florida. They were gracious enough to pack their bags and come for sittings in my studio.

I had the privilege of addressing the December 2008 Graduates of my Alma Mater, Lipscomb University on December 20, 2008. The following are my comments to the graduating class. I recently mentioned the TR story in an interview with International Artist Magazine and realized it would be appropriate for the graduates as well. As artists, we have to tackle problems with our work head-on if we are going to grow.there are no shortcuts in the life of a working artist…or a human being!