The Performance

I painted this while doing some commissions in San Antonio TX. The model was a friend who was studying jazz improvisation -an interest we both shared. We found him a skinny black tie and trim black suit to accompany his upright bass. He played and posed while adjusting the tilt and placement of the bass as I tried to arrange the lighting. I finally decided on an angle that accentuated the unruly size and presence of the instrument, and a pose that featured the musician's dexterous fingers and focused expression.