Shep's Fire Fighters Commission "War" is Presented

Thursday was one of those great days all Artists look forward to.  The commissioned portrait "War" was presented to it's new owners, Shane Smith, the subject of the commission, and Amy who commissioned the portrait as a gift for Shane.

The portrait features Shane, at the scene of a fire, warning us all to stay back.  A fire is a place for professionals only and our fire fighters are at the highest level of professionalism.  The first 3 letters of Shane's fellow fire fighter's name give us the appropriate title because each and every fire is a "War".

The presentation took place at the great Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas.

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Shep Starts a New Commission!

Once again I get the great honor to paint America's Heroes, our firemen.  This commission is a composit of a number of scenes to try and capture the danger and devastation our firemen confront all too often.  In it the fireman, whose wife commissioned the portrait, has lead his men into the fire which is now almost out.  He's warning us to stay back because it's their job to put it on the line and go where we not dare.

I will keep everyone up to date with the progress on this commission as I finish the stages.  In this photo the drawing stage is almost finished.

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Shep's Tribute to Fire Fighters!

I've dedicated this new painting to the Fire Fighters of Unit's #46 and 55.  Many of the artists from the Conroe Art League are painting this great old fire helmet from #46 Houston Fire Department as part of the annual Object d'Art.  The reception is Friday night at the Gallery at the Madeley Building in downtown Conroe, from 5 to 8 pm.  Everyone it invited.

After finishing the composition, and getting pretty far down the road with the painting, I went by #55 and asked the Fire Fighters what I had done wrong.  They loved the painting but said I had left off most of the uniform and equipment.  The guys were great!  One of the men got dressed in his complete uniform as if going to fight a fire.  This is the result.  I hope you all like it.  It will be at the gallery the entire month of February and is $1,200.

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