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.
Thomas More (1478 - 1535)
"When More some time had chancellor been, no more suits did remain. The like will never more be seen, till More be there again."
That Worthy and Uncorrupt Magistrate
A humanist, brilliant wit, and yet a profoundly pious soul, Thomas More was the first layman to hold office as Lord Chancellor of England. Presiding in a Chancery Court where delays and influence peddling were notorious, he refused all gifts from litigants and dispatched cases with unprecedented regularity. His philosophical treatise Utopia, published in 1518, established his position as England's foremost representative of "the new learning," a movement which later came to be known as the Renaissance.
Because he opposed Henry VIII's separation from the Catholic Church and would not acknowledge him as the Supreme Head of the Church of England, More was executed for treason in 1535. Although he was not formally canonized as a saint until 1935, his death marked the end of religious unity among the countries of Europe
A scholar and statesman of unshakeable convictions, Thomas More steadfastly symbolizes the courageous lawyer of conscience and the independent magistrate of integrity.
More, Sir Thomas. 24" x 30". 2002. Collection of Patrick Bigg. Crown Prosecutor .Edmonton AB.