Please allow me to introduce this portrait of my friend Shane Fleming. This work was commissioned for his birthday by his fabulous bride, Lorre — we’ve had some amazing times with these guys, on the golf course and beyond.

To begin, we went over to the Flemings compound for a photoshoot. As is often the case, I took several hundred photos. Shane is a humble guy, so when the shoot was over, we all poured a cocktail, Shane proposed a cheers… he was relaxed… so I told him to hold that pose. We used the post-shoot photo for the composition.

It began with a rough outline, collage headlines and images. As Shane loves to rip around on motorcycles, I couldn’t not bring Easy Rider into the fold.

Here is a photo of yours truly riding on the back of Shane’s USA-inspired beast en route to an early tee time. I finished 17 strokes behind (Shane is a big hitter). Notably, I lost to Lorre by 18… who is an even bigger hitter.

Up next, it was time for an orange wash and a dark background gradient. The shadows were added. If you nail down the eyes, mouth and nose… the likeness will follow.

Beyond my love for Las Vegas lighting and the work of Verner Panton, my LED studio lights help me identify where I am on a painting early on.

On to the midtones. The highlights and shadows are the anchor points… the mid’s wrap the form into shape.

Working toward the highlights. I vacillate between a steady color progression, to nailing the highlights after the shadows. It solely depends on how the work is feeling, and how confident I am in the palette.

A look from afar before making the final decisions.

And here he is, Mr. Shane Fleming! It was a delight to work with you and Lorre on this painting, thank you for choosing me — it was a pleasure and an honor.

Before I go… here is a photo of Erin, Me, Kurt, Debbie, Lorre and Shane at a wedding in St. George. It’s such a pleasure to spend time with you all… we’re grateful to know you.

And, yes, I got advance bride-to-be approval to wear that suit.