Here's the image of a painting I did of Ray McNeill in November of 2000.
I asked Ray to sit for me, and he was a little surprised that I didn't want to portray him in the bar, but playing the cello instead. I thought it would be more interesting to portray this guy - who could be a little rough around the edges and who was well known for making and drinking beer - as playing classical music.
I did sketches of Ray upstairs in McNeill's (where he lived) while he played Bach's cello concertos - not easy pieces of music to even attempt.
I didn't want the painting to be polished, because Ray wasn't polished - therefore, the spatters and pretty quick, broad strokes of paint and color.
I always liked the painting. I thought I got him. His mother, who lived in Tennessee at the time, bought the painting from me - thank goodness for mothers! After she died, I believe Ray got the painting, and I assume it was lost in the fire.