Commemorative Paintings

The Honour of Painting Those Who Inspire Us

As an artist, there are certain paintings that mean something a little different.

Every painting tells a story, but when I am given the opportunity to paint someone who has made an impact on our society, I feel an overwhelming sense of honour and responsibility. I am not simply painting a face. I am painting a person, their accomplishments, their legacy, and a moment in time that may become part of their story forever.To be entrusted with creating artwork of an important figure is something I never take lightly. I think about that person’s legacy while I paint. I think about what they have accomplished, what they have meant to others, and what I want the finished painting to communicate.Most importantly, I feel that I have to do justice to the individual I am painting.

Peter C. Newman

One of the most meaningful experiences I have had was the opportunity to meet and paint Canadian author and journalist Peter C. Newman.

Peter C. Newman was a remarkable Canadian figure, recognized for his tremendous contributions to Canadian history, politics, journalism, and literature. He was also a Companion of the Order of Canada. (Simon & Schuster)

I had the privilege of meeting Peter privately, and that experience made painting him even more meaningful to me.
Rather than simply capturing a formal portrait, I wanted to capture a moment that was part of Peter’s life. I painted him in a relaxed state aboard a sailboat—a setting that represented something personal to him.For me, that was the key to the painting.I wasn’t just trying to capture what Peter looked like. I wanted to capture something about who he was.

I eventually presented the painting to Peter over lunch. His reaction was one of appreciation, and I believe what touched him most was knowing that someone had taken the time to create a portrait of him.That moment stayed with me.

As an artist, you spend countless hours alone with a canvas, wondering whether you have captured what you intended. But when you can place that painting in the hands of the person who inspired it, there is an entirely different feeling.It is an honour that is difficult to put into words.

Brigadier General James Simpson

Another painting that holds tremendous meaning for me was a portrait I created of Brigadier General James Simpson with his great  grandson.

James was a good friend, which made this painting particularly personal.
His great grandson was wearing a replica of James’s World War II pilot jacket and James was holding onto his flight log. Those details became extremely important to me because they represented much more than a family photograph.They represented legacy.I saw a connection between James’s service in the Air Force and the generation that followed him. His grandson standing there in that replica jacket, with James holding his flight log, created a beautiful tie between the past and the future.I felt it was a wonderful way to honour what James had accomplished while also recognizing the family and legacy he was leaving behind.Being able to present that painting to James was a tremendous honour for me.

Corey Conners

I have also had the privilege of painting Canadian professional golfer Corey Conners.

Corey has established himself as an outstanding Canadian golfer on the PGA TOUR, with two PGA TOUR victories. (PGA Tour)For his painting, I wanted to capture Corey in one of those recognizable moments that defines the sport—the concentration and power of his driving stance.I was able to present the painting to Corey through one of his relatives, which in itself was a very special experience.

But something happened afterward that made the experience even more meaningful to me.

I was recently able to obtain a photograph of Corey with the actual painting hanging proudly in his residence.As an artist, seeing your work become part of someone’s home is incredibly rewarding.

Knowing that a painting I created is now part of the environment where Corey lives makes me incredibly proud. It is a reminder that a painting can take on a life of its own once it leaves the artist’s studio.

The Weber Brothers

Another memorable experience came through my painting of the Weber Brothers.

I captured the Weber Brothers during an acoustic performance at Signal Brewery. There was something about that particular moment that caught my attention and inspired me to put it onto canvas.

Eventually, the brothers were able to track down the painting through a friend on Facebook.

They reached out to me because they were interested in obtaining the painting for their upcoming motivational CD, Acusta.That was an incredible compliment.

As an artist, you hope that something you create will connect with people. But to have a painting become part of someone’s musical project and ultimately appear on an album cover was something I was extremely proud of.I was honoured to have my artwork become part of their story.

Bill McBurney

And then there is Bill McBurney.I had the opportunity to capture Bill in a very intimate acoustic moment in a backyard.There was something about the simplicity of that setting that appealed to me. It wasn’t about a stage or a large production. It was about a person, a guitar, music, and a genuine moment.I was very proud to present the painting to Bill.

What happened afterward is something I will always remember.Bill actually reached out to find me personally so that he could thank me for the painting.That meant a great deal to me.Those are the moments that remind me why I paint.

More Than a Portrait

When I look back at these experiences, I realize that these paintings have something in common.They are about people who have inspired others. They are about accomplishments, history, family, music, sport, friendship, and personal moments.But most of all, they are about connection.

When I paint an important figure, I don’t want to simply reproduce a photograph. I want to capture something that tells a story.

Sometimes that story is about a remarkable career.Sometimes it is about a family’s legacy.Sometimes it is about a quiet moment that reveals the person behind the public figure.And sometimes it is simply about recognizing someone for what they have meant to others.

It is very special to paint individuals or events that are inspiring, historical, and deeply personal.

I consider it an incredible privilege to be given the opportunity to create these paintings and, perhaps even more importantly, to present the finished artwork to the people who inspired them.There is something incredibly humbling about standing in front of someone and handing them a painting of themselves.

I have spent hours, days, and sometimes much longer bringing that person to life on canvas. I have thought about their story and their legacy. I have made countless decisions with my brush, always knowing that I have a responsibility to do justice to the individual.And then, finally, I get to place the painting in their hands.

That is an experience I will never take for granted.For me, oil painting is about much more than paint on canvas.

It is about preserving a moment.It is about telling a story.It is about recognizing the people who have made a difference.And sometimes, it is about creating something that allows a person to see themselves through the eyes of an artist.

I am extremely honoured for every opportunity I have been given to paint these remarkable individuals.To be able to say, “I painted that person,” is certainly something to be proud of.

But to be able to say, “I had the honour of presenting that painting to them,” is something I will cherish forever.Thank you,Chris