Ann-Margret by Brian Stelfreeze

I don't have this in hand yet, but I was able to place a pre-show commission order for OAX from Brian Stelfreeze. I always loved Brian's color portraits! His affinity for painting beautiful Hollywood starlets made this choice right up his alley!

Sadly, the week before the show my father-in-law was admitted to the ER with covid/ pneumonia so I had to cancel my trip to the show to be close to home, not knowing how his condition would turn. The morning of the show he sadly passed away from complications.

Even though I wasn't able to attend the show I had some great friends step up and pick up my pre-arranged commissions for me. Based on the great quality of the pieces I was able to arrange, this is turning out to be the Best convention I didn't have the chance to attend.

Big shout out to my friends Jeff Hartnett, Rob Frey and Robert Lee for picking up the pieces for me! I am grateful for each of you!

As for my choice of a young Ann-Margret, first of all Brian paints amazing color portraits of Hollywood starlets of the past and has always been super enthusiastic when approached with these suggestions. Ann-Margret herself, besides being the inspiration for Mary Jane by John Romita Sr, she was an earlier childhood crush since her starring role in Bye Bye Birdie the movie for me. As I went through the list of actresses who left an early impression on my childhood, Ann-Margret was one who I hadn't seen Brian attempt yet, so I figured he might be into it. My only regret was not being able to talk to Brian about my choice at OAX and get his insight into how he approached the piece. But I'll be sure to talk with him about it at future shows we meet up at. Thank you Brian for an Amazing piece!