The Final Stretch

This piece was commissioned as a heartfelt gift from a husband to his wife, in honor of her late grandfather and his enduring love for horse racing. The painting captures not only the physical momentum of the race, but reveals how even what’s gone still guides us — the way memories continue to move us forward.

The color palette steps slightly outside of my usual tones, balancing masculine energy with softer, more feminine hues to reflect both strength and sentiment. As with many commissions, this project pushed me beyond my comfort zone in the best possible way — challenging my instincts, palette, and perspective.

For me, commissions like this are an opportunity to connect art with personal story. Each project becomes more than a painting; it’s a collaboration between my creative vision and someone’s lived experience — a bridge between memory and meaning.