The power of suggestion

A random Russian, now living in the U.S., sent me a direct message on Instagram last night.  He asked if I would consider doing a portrait of Vladimir Putin in my wild colour style.  My adrenalin started racing immediately, in a similar way to when I painted Robin Williams on that very sad day when he left us last year.

Suggestions, especially those that pop out of the blue, have an intoxicating effect on me.  I have an image of Putin starring at me on my laptop screen as I type this on my second screen that I use in my study.  His facial features are distinct, intense, and completely unique.  I have this overwhelming desire to paint him, for no other reason than that is what I'm being called to do.

I'm going to pause this post and go and paint.  Let's see what happens over the next few hours.

(12 hours late)

Here is how Mr. Putin proceeded.

This will be getting shipped to my new Russian-American friend later this week.