"The Wise Old Chief"

Painting Commission!

Paint Medium: Acrylics
Base: Mirror with custom wood frame
Colors: Custom Mixed color scheme
Estimated Time to Finish: 2 hours or less from start to end


This was a commission that I was asked to do for a friend that works with my Dad. It was kind of hard to do, considering he asked it to be painted on a mirror. I drew out the design with a very sharp charcoal art pencil first then mixed the colors for him myself. I never use colors that are premixed for things like this unless I am asked to by the one it's going to be for. I use the primary and base colors and neutrals and mix my own so they will be unique. None of my painting are ever the same this way, even if they are of the same design.

The photo of this piece isn't the greatest, because of it being painted on a mirror it was very hard to photograph, but I do hope you can tell some about it and the design and details I put into this piece. I was very highly proud of it when it was done. The feathers were the hardest to do. Painting on a mirror is HARD, as while you are painting, you are also seeing the reflection of the paint while you are applying it, and can make small details hard to get right because of that. But I think it turned out rather well. (And NO, my signature 'SS' logo was not on the finished piece, I put it there with photoshop before uploading it here. The photo is unaltered other than adding the logo, so that is my true hand work. I left the fullsize view large so the details could be seen.) It took me a little less than two hours from start to completion, including mixing of the colors. This isn't the first Indian item I have done, but so far I think it's the best I've done.


Little piece of personal ties to this artwork: My step-dad's nickname was Geronimo and was very widely known in this area by that name rather than his own true name, and he was part Cherokee. (Miss you Daddie.) My son is also part Cherokee from his father's side, although he looks more like the Irish/Scottish side that runs in my family. The man this piece was made for, is known as 'Chief' and is 1/2 Cherokee. He'd heard from my Dad about my painting/art skill and requested this from me, and it will be delivered to him tomorrow morning.