Don Keenan
Painting a subject without their knowing it, a surprise portrait, is always fraught with danger… and in the case of Don Keenan, doubly so. A larger than life character, electrifying, the trial lawyer community with his “Reptile Theory” of practice, a TV personality, renowned children’s advocate, often to be found unshaved wearing shorts, T-shirt, and always those sunglasses. An ex-marine of Irish blood and creator of the Kids Foundation and Bono aficionado. All this and more went into this painting. It was with relief that I saw it was warmly and enthusiastically received at its unveiling in Houston. Kudos to the courage of the man brave enough to commission this painting!
Painting a subject without their knowing it, a surprise portrait, is always fraught with danger… and in the case of Don Keenan, doubly so. A larger than life character, electrifying, the trial lawyer community with his “Reptile Theory” of practice, a TV personality, renowned children’s advocate, often to be found unshaved wearing shorts, T-shirt, and always those sunglasses. An ex-marine of Irish blood and creator of the Kids Foundation and Bono aficionado. All this and more went into this painting. It was with relief that I saw it was warmly and enthusiastically received at its unveiling in Houston. Kudos to the courage of the man brave enough to commission this painting!
Don Keenan
Keenan, Don. 16" x 20". 2015. Collection of Keenan Law Firm. Atlanta, GA. Portrait on canvas. Commissioned by HMR Funding, Dean Chase.
Keenan, Don. 16" x 20". 2015. Collection of Keenan Law Firm. Atlanta, GA. Portrait on canvas. Commissioned by HMR Funding, Dean Chase.
Enoch "Woody" Woodhouse II
I only ever met Enoch Woodhouse II once, in Philadelphia, where he was attending a Tuskegee Airman’s convention and naturally crossed over to join his trial lawyer colleagues whose convention was running simultaneously. He was magnetic, fascinating, and great fun. Willingly sitting for the camera, he regaled me with stories of post-war Paris and pre-civil rights America. Courage and decency, honor and integrity shone from this man like a beacon. I placed him laughing in the face of adversity, the naked bulb referencing Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, attempting to capture his humble yet indomitable spirit.
Woodhouse, Enoch "Woody" II. 38" x 38" 2009 Collection of the artist. Montreal, Canada. Portrait on canvas.