This is was first for me. This is pretty much, my first oil painting. I can't say why I waited so long. I am enjoying not having to rush to blend an area like the "fast drying" acrylics. So nice to take your time and blend where you place the brush instead of doing it all on the pallet. But then again, many of you already know that.

But back to my subject, he is a "mountain of a man." He is 6' 4" Charles Bolin from Deland, Florida, which is near Daytona Beach. Charles belongs to an organization called "Single Action Shooting Society." "Single action" describes the type of firearm that they use for their competition. The competition consists of the shooters being timed and scored on the individuals shooting at steel targets. It's very interesting and really cool to watch!

Leigh and I were invited to one of their meets this past December where several of the members, men and women, so graciously posed for Leigh's camera. Each signed releases for us to use their images for my portraits. These portraits from that shoot will be featured in my show that will be at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia this September. These people were all "class act, down-to-earth" as could be. Hopefully a couple will even show up for the show.

This piece of "Cypress Scout," as Mr. Bolin calls himself, is oil like I said, on a "Claybord," Gesso- covered Masonite. The overall size is 18" x 24".