JASON’S BAR MITZVAH

PAINTING BY DECLAN WALSH

STEPHEN AND DECLAN IN 2004, I WENT TO THE PORTRAITURE SOCIETY OF AMERICA CONVENTION. BEFORE THE CONVENTION, I FILLED OUT A FORM. THERE WERE TWO CHECKBOXES, ARTIST OR AGENT. I CHOOSE AGENT. LATER I WAS CALLED BY DECLAN WALSH. HE SAID I WAS THE ONLY AGENT IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES. I TOLD HIM IT WAS A LARK WHEN I FILLED OUT THE FORM AND WE BECAME FRIENDS. I SHOWED HIM MY OFFICE WHICH AT THAT TIME HAD OVER 300 EMPLOYEES IN THE HEADQUARTERS BUILDING. IT WAS IMPRESSIVE. I WAS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO GIVE OUR WORK MORE DEPTH OF CULTURE. I OFFERED HIM A FREE SPACE AND TOLD HIM I WOULD TELL ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS ABOUT HIM TO SEE IF WE CAN SELL PAINTINGS. IN RETURN, I ASKED HIM TO MAKE A FEW PAINTINGS THAT RELATE TO THE FAMILY.