This work was painted post-humously of a young man who had recently completed his studies at West Point. It was a gift from the young man's sisters to their mother. At the time, the artist was living on a ranch in the Paradise Valley in Montana. Works like this one, done post-humously, are approached with a deep and sincere concern for the family, and attention is particularly given to a perfect likeness. Creative questions in these cases cede priority to ensuring that the family feel the essence of one they loved.
It's not always possible to ease grief but some families have told me that it does in a way that the photographs just cannot.

"West Point Cadet"
oil, 16" x 20"