Don Keenan
Painting a subject without their knowing it, a surprise portrait, is always fraught with danger… and in the case of Don Keenan, doubly so. A larger than life character, electrifying, the trial lawyer community with his “Reptile Theory” of practice, a TV personality, renowned children’s advocate, often to be found unshaved wearing shorts, T-shirt, and always those sunglasses. An ex-marine of Irish blood and creator of the Kids Foundation and Bono aficionado. All this and more went into this painting. It was with relief that I saw it was warmly and enthusiastically received at its unveiling in Houston. Kudos to the courage of the man brave enough to commission this painting!
Painting a subject without their knowing it, a surprise portrait, is always fraught with danger… and in the case of Don Keenan, doubly so. A larger than life character, electrifying, the trial lawyer community with his “Reptile Theory” of practice, a TV personality, renowned children’s advocate, often to be found unshaved wearing shorts, T-shirt, and always those sunglasses. An ex-marine of Irish blood and creator of the Kids Foundation and Bono aficionado. All this and more went into this painting. It was with relief that I saw it was warmly and enthusiastically received at its unveiling in Houston. Kudos to the courage of the man brave enough to commission this painting!
Don Keenan
Keenan, Don. 16" x 20". 2015. Collection of Keenan Law Firm. Atlanta, GA. Portrait on canvas. Commissioned by HMR Funding, Dean Chase.
Keenan, Don. 16" x 20". 2015. Collection of Keenan Law Firm. Atlanta, GA. Portrait on canvas. Commissioned by HMR Funding, Dean Chase.
Yitzhak Rabin
Yitzhak Rabin was a pivotal figure in Israeli history, recognized for his leadership, military expertise, and efforts towards peace in the Middle East. Born on March 1, 1922, in Jerusalem, which was then under British rule, Rabin grew up in a tumultuous era marked by the struggle for Jewish statehood and surrounding conflicts. Rabin's early years were shaped by his commitment to Zionism and defense of the Jewish homeland. He joined the Haganah, the underground Jewish paramilitary organization, and quickly rose through the ranks, displaying exceptional leadership skills. During Israel's War of Independence in 1948, Rabin played a crucial role in securing the fledgling nation's borders and defending it against hostile Arab forces. His military career continued to flourish, and he eventually became Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in 1964. Under his leadership, the IDF achieved significant victories, notably in the Six-Day War of 1967, during which Israel gained control of the Sinai Peninsula, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights. Rabin's strategic acumen and tactical brilliance earned him widespread respect both domestically and internationally.
In the collection of Todd Michaels. Haggard Law Firm. Florida https://haggardlawfirm.com/attorneys/michael-a-haggard/
In the political arena, Rabin transitioned from military service to diplomacy, serving as Israel's ambassador to the United States from 1968 to 1973. He later entered domestic politics, joining theIsraeli Labor Party and ultimately becoming Prime Minister in1974. Rabin's tenure as Prime Minister was marked by a pragmatic approach to governance and a steadfast commitment to Israel's security.One of the defining moments of Rabin's political career came with the signing of the Oslo Accords in 1993. As Prime Minister, he took the bold step of engaging in direct negotiations with thePalestine Liberation Organization (PLO), leading to the historic handshake between Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat on the White House lawn, facilitated by US President Bill Clinton. TheOslo Accords laid the groundwork for Palestinian self-rule in parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and earned Rabin the NobelPeace Prize along with Arafat and Israeli Foreign Minister Shim on Peres.Tragically, Rabin's pursuit of peace was cut short on November 4,1995, when he was assassinated by a right-wing Israeli extremist at a peace rally in Tel Aviv. His death shocked the world and dealt a severe blow to the peace process. Yet, Rabin's legacy as a visionary leader and a champion of peace endures, in spiring future generations in Israel and beyond to strive for reconciliation and coexistence in the Middle East.