[Chris Saper]

Thanks, Denise.

This piece is oil on linen, 24" x 18".

Regarding his hands, no, they were oringinally holding the back of a rattan chair. The chair was a design problem and didn't convey anything about this man whose distinguished legal career included the circuit court of appeals. Instead, I asked my husband to bring a law book home from his office; he chose Black's Law Dictionary. He explained that this is the most fundamental book every lawyer owns and relies upon countless times throughout his or her career. Its color and wider than average spine make it instantly recognizable to anyone in the legal profession, without needing to be literal about the tile, which is VERY loosely suggested in paint. Fortunately, both the color and shape of the book supported the design. The hands were painted from the original photos, as well as this gentleman's son (who commissioned the portrait), whose hands were a perfect stand-in, and my husband positioning the book.

This man's son also had all of his dad's ties (I learned quite a bit about the regimental stripe during this process) so he brought several over for me to select one for the painting. I tied it on a necklace display form, and painted the tie from a still-life set-up in my studio. It was fun.