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It was a profound honor to be chosen recently to create a portrait of Richard and Mary Holland, two of Omaha's (Nebraska) most beloved philanthropists. The Hollands donated the funds to make the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha a reality in 2005. Mary passed away a year after the center opened. Richard turned 90 this year, and as a gift to him, Omaha Performing Arts commissioned me to paint a 4 ft x 6 ft portrait of the Hollands, which now hangs permanently in the Holland Center. Entitled "Opening Night 2005", the portrait was painted from a photo taken of the Hollands as they watched a performance on the opening night of the Holland Center back in 2005. I loved that it was such an intimate moment between them. To me, it spoke not only to the love they had for each other, but their love for the arts and their community as well. The figure behind them seems to be applauding them as well as the performance. I was thrilled to be invited to Richard Holland's 90th birthday celebration where the painting was unveiled in it's new home at the Holland Center. Above is a photo of me with Mr. Holland and the painting shortly after the unveiling. Beneath the painting is an inscription that reads: "All who come here   Listen Reflect Dream Laugh Cry Cheer  This hall belongs to you. Dick and Mary Holland" (photo below). Also below is a photo of the plaque next to the painting, with my name as artist (yay!).  If you'd like to read the article from the Omaha World Herald about the event and see another photo, here's the link:   
http://www.omaha.com/article/20110709/NEWS02/707099961/-1#around-amp-about .