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.
Ma'at
Lady of heaven, Queen of the earth, Mistress of the underworld, her trinity governs all three realms.
The Egyptian goddess Ma'at personifies truth and justice, equity and ethics. The white ostrich feather which graces her headdress was used to denote "truth" in Egyptian hieroglyphics. The gods themselves are constrained to live by her law. As the veritable "Chief Justice," she is always present at the weighing of the heart of the deceased before they are sent to their appropriate afterlife. Unlike the harsh commands of later patriarchal gods, Ma'at extended kindness to the suffering and justice without vengeance as the lawgiver of ancient Egypt.
Painting her in a contemporary manner, as portrayed here, is but to acknowledge her lasting power in the Pantheon of the law. Great is Ma'at, the mighty and unalterable!
Ma'at. 12" x 18". 1997. Collection of James Vigmond. Oatley Vigmond Barrie Ont. Canada.