Mayor Boldt came to me at a group arts and crafts exhibit. He mentioned that he was about to leave his position as mayor, and he did not want to be represented by the painting of him which presently hung on the Wall of Mayors at the Parma City Hall. He showed me a campaign promotion card with his image and asked if I could work from it. I told him, “Yes, I can, and I will guarantee your full satisfaction with the results.”
So once again I was the second and final artist on a project. Many portrait artists refuse to paint teeth because they are unable to paint them in a quality way that satisfies the patron, yet alone a dentist or others in the dental profession. I welcome the opportunity to make up for their lack of skill. Mayor Boldt’s teeth in this portrait illustrate natural realism and their representation defies criticism. His portrait remains on permanent display at City Hall with the mayor’s endorsement.
Whenever I am asked, “Why does your work look like a different level of realism than the efforts of other artists?” I answer, “Because I am not easily satisfied so I work harder and longer to perfect all the subtleties of human expression in the face and hands. I also strive to include all the details in the clothing and background. Because I constantly aim to do better than ever before, I spend more time at the easel as well as using finer materials.”