"Man From Maxixe"

I was in Mozambique with my Father during the ceasefire of 1991.  We attended a church conference in the small coastal town of Maxixe and this man was in the gathering of several hundred people.  As soon as I saw him I knew I had to get his picture.  Dad asked his permission and I got the shot.  I knew I had something special when I developed the film months later in the U.S.  I was still an art student at the time and for over a year I considered the best medium to use for executing this portrait.  Finally I decided to use oils but it would be only my second painted portrait and the task intimidated me.  I wasn’t sure I had what it took to do the gentleman justice.  Since its completion many people have told me it is my best work but I give all the credit to the subject.  You know just by looking at him that he is an extraordinary person.