Sensei

 

Oil on canvas.    This portrait of my former karate instructor, Tom Smyth, in his hakame uniform of his sword class.  I have wanted to paint him for a long time out of respect and gratitude, so I asked him to pose for my art group two sessions, and this portrait is the resulting gift to him.  All it cost him was 20 years.  I love this portrait, he is well seated, with strength and yet ease, serious but not stern.  Funny incident was after first session, walking with painting on the city sidewalk, a lady I had not seen in 10 years said, hey that's Tom Smyth - it was the wife of another of his former black belt students.  Random chance put us together.  At least I knew I had a good likeness going.