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I had the honor of being asked to memorialize the accomplishments of many men and women who have made their mark in the world. This portrait was commissioned to honor the life of Charles David Haydon by his loving wife, Mary Stuart Spalding Haydon to commemorate his passing and to stand forever as a memorial of his life's work. Charles David Haydon, was a pillar to his community. He and his family were generous with their time and gifts through the years and were always willing to lend a hand when and where needed. He served as a board member for St. Joseph School, a board member of the Bethlehem High School Foundation, and a board member of Spalding Hall Association, where he and his family were working diligently to restore Spalding Hall to its historic splendor. In addition to his civic activities, he was also an astute business person having served as President and CEO of Haydon Holdings until his retirement in December 2021. He was also chairperson of the Kentucky Crushed Stone Association, president of the Plant Mix Asphalt Industry of Kentucky, president of Kentuckians for Better Transportation, and served on the board of directors of the Kentucky Association of Highway Contractors. This portrait was commissioned to honor his legacy that will live on through his family and into the generations to come.  I was recently given the honor of painting the portrait of Senator Greg Treat who was elected in 2011 in a special election to represent District 47, which encompasses northwest Oklahoma City and portions of Edmond, Deer Creek, and Bethany. I want to thank Senator Treat for his confidence in allowing me to capture his legacy in paint. I also want to give a huge Thank You to his wife Maressa Treat who captured me at work photographing her husband and for helping me style the Senator and direction in the composition of the finished portrait. And a a HUGE Shout Out of gratitude to Christina Boothe who worked so diligently for coordination of all our schedules and for keeping the chanels of communication open during what was also a stressful time for the Senator and his wife. After graduating from Catoosa High School, Treat attended the University of Oklahoma earning a political science and history degree. He graduated with honors and earned an invitation to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. Treat also was awarded the Cortez A.M. Ewing Fellowship while at OU, which allowed him to intern for then-U.S. Rep. Tom Coburn, M.D., in Washington, D.C. In 2021, Treat was unanimously re-elected by the Oklahoma Senate to to serve as president pro tempore, the top leadership position in the Senate. Treat was first elected pro tem by the Senate in 2019. He previously served as the Senate Majority Floor Leader, as an Assistant Majority Floor Leader, and he also has served as a Majority Whip. He previously served as chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary as well as a member of the Appropriations, Health and Human Services, Judiciary, Energy and Rules committees.      It is a huge responsibility to be chosen as the artist to celebrate the legacy of one’s accomplishments and especially one so kind and generous and humble. Chancellor Robinson and the University could have chosen any number of artists to applaud these accomplishments, so I am greatly honored to have been chosen to memorialize this great legacy. I'm especially proud because this is my eighth commission from the University of Arkansas. Please let me introduce you to the University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles F. Robinson. Charles F. Robinson is the seventh chancellor of the University of Arkansas. He leads the university’s land-grant mission to provide opportunity and transform lives through education, research and service. Robinson has served the University of Arkansas for more than 23 years, beginning as an assistant professor of history in 1999. Teaching and mentoring students has always been a priority, even as he was promoted to positions of increasing leadership and responsibility, including serving as provost and executive vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs. In this role, he enhanced communication and coordination of the university’s academic and student affairs endeavors in order to support a more holistic approach to student success on campus. He has also served the university as vice provost for diversity and vice chancellor for Student Affairs, and as director of the African and African American Studies Program. (Excerpts from the University webpage). As you can see in the last image my art can hardly reach the heights of such a great man.   This is one of those special projects that you want to be perfect. This is a special couple, Gail and Denny Cresap began their life together in 1960. Together they've built a family and a business that will live on through their Family Foundation. Their son, John commissioned this portrait to hang in their foundation headquarters to honor their love and his admiration. He said he wanted everyone to witness the loving generosity of this vibrant couple. Painted at their beautiful family estate at Grand Lake Oklahoma, Gail wanted this portrait to be outdoors, where they enjoy the scenic surroundings of their lovely home and where they entertain friends and family. In the distant, you can see two bronze statues memorializing two beloved pets.
It is an amazing honor, when one of my clients contacts me again to paint another portrait. It is such an affirmation of the client's happiness and approval of the portrait painted for them in the past. I was recently approached to paint another portrait for the University of Oklahoma, Health Sciences Center, College of Dentistry. Dean of the College of Dentistry, Raymond Cohlmia DDS. is stepping down from his position to takeover as the new executive director of the American Dental Association, the nation’s leading advocate for oral health. After meeting with Dr. Cohlmia, I started visually introducing myself by crating a number of sketches, including the charcoal head study and the small compositional study, seen here with the painting in process.  Here, I am delivering my completed portrait as I stand below the portrait I painted of Dr. Stephen K. Young I had painted a number of years earlier.  And here is the finished portrait of Raymond A. Cohlmia DDS.   I am ususally called because it has been decided that a portrait is needed for an institution or organization that wants to memorialize the contributions or achievments that a special person has shared with that organization. In this case my Alma Mater, the University of Oklahoma. In October 2008 it was announced that the College of Education had received a $8 million gift from H.E. (Gene) Rainbolt in honor of his late wife, Jeannine Rainbolt. Because of that contribution, the OU Board of Regents unanimously voted to rename the college in Rainbolt's honor. It is the only college at OU to be named for a female. Although the name had been changed some time ago, they felt that they needed some point of information or memorial. I was contacted by the current Dean Stacy Reeder to talk about the possibility of me painting the portrait. I am always first and foremost concerned with the person I am painting, and then their legacy. I want to know where the portrait will hang, what size are they thinking, is it to be a formal portrait, etc. When I asked where the portrait was to hang I wanted to make sure that the portriat would also reflect the prominence of the person being honored. This was a quick photo of the space that the portrait was to be hung. I thought it would be just another painting over a bookshelf un this situation so I took it upon myself to design a better display of the honor deserved. See below.  So here I am delivering the portrait. I can't wait to see it in its proper place after the dedication.  In February 25-26th I held a workshop "Paint Like a Master" for the Portrait Society of Atlanta at their spacious North Shallowford Road annex. I shared many examples from Rembrandt, Titian, Sargeant and Zorn, and compared how limited the palette range was for so many oftheir portraits. We then concentrated on how important values are in creatiing the illusion of realistic volume. I shared many lighting techniques as well as pointers on creating a likeness. The workshop was well recieved by all of the participants. Please see the review here from their publication, The FOLIO here: https://portraitsocietyofatlanta.org/paint-like-a-master-with-mike-wimmer/ With examples behind me, I share with the participants many examples of limited palette color schemes. I share the process of beginning the portrait of the Colonial Soldier, without any preliminary drawing, using only my measuring method to create a good likeness, concentrating first on proportions and value shapes. Since the workshop lasted two days, I was able to work with each participant individually to share advice and give feedback on color and value ranges, as well as any recomended adjustments to proportions. I was able to complete the portrait demonstration by the end of the second day, but brought it back to my studio to add any finishing refinements I thought necessary. About 2-weeks after the workshop each member shared their finished portrait with the grouiup via email and a Zoom meeting.  In one of the self portriats that I created for the workshop, I shared the Zorn Palette made up of the colors at top: White, Yellow Ochre, Cadmium Red Light (Vermillion) and Ivory Black, and painted in the Alla Prima method. From start to finish, this demonstration took a total of 3 1/2 hours.  In another set of self portraits, using the same reference, I painted using a monochromatic underpainting, using White, Yellow Ochre, Raw Umber and Transparent Oxice Red. This is an analogous color scheme that works very well as an underpainting stage for later completion. It was at this stage that I shared my measurement technique on a seperate piece of paper and then transferred the drawing to the canvas surface. During this very quick underpainting stage, I lay in the shadows thinly and build up the paint thickness with thicker more opaque colors. The whites are painted thickly with a thick and stiff Underpainting White,  Here is one more self portrait demonstration, painted in the Alla Prima method, using another Limited Palette combination of White, Transparent Oxide Red and Prussian Blue. Limiting the Gamut Range automatically harmonizes the color scheme of your painting. The subtle greys and neutrals are derived by the mixing of complimentary colors in this case a blue and an orange, with white. Depending on how you swing the range, either cooler or warmer (oranger or bluer) your greys will adjust likewise. Another point of interest; notice how the portraits were created using value contrasts; Middle Value > Dark Value > Light Value > Dark Value, otherwise known as Chiaroscuro or Chiaro=bright or clear, Scuro=dark or obscure. 
 A Labor of Love and for Love. This is a recent commission made by a Mr. Lovett of Georgia, who just didn't know what to give to the Love of his life and I was lucky enough to help him out by painting this portrait of a "Beautiful Lady". It was such an honor to be chosen to help him out, and I am extremley gratful for his trust in me.
12x16" Oil on canvas panel. "No Spring nor Summer beauty hath such grace as I have seen in one autumnal face" John Donne I am often asked if I also do portraits of children. I greatly enjoy painting the portraits of children. I really enjoy capturing and portraying their lack or care for their formal outward appearance. They live in the moment and in their imaginations. This is how I prefer portraying them. In this portrait, I am portraying a brother and sister embracing one of the last days of outdoor exploration and play, before the constraints of winter sets in. Autumn is a time of the year when things slow down, the days get shorter and we celebrate the growth and abundance of the last season. I chose to magnify their budding beauty and strength, They stand in vibrant contrast to the decay of their surroundings, with their own personal Spring still before them.  I hope that you have enjoyed this little foray into my process. The finished portrait was painted on a cradled masonite panel, sized with four coats of acrylic gesso leaving the brush marks for texture and interest. The painting was 24x30x2". If you should have questions about commissions or pricing, please feel free to call me at 405-329-0478 or write at [email protected]
 NEW ALEXANDER HAMILTON BOOK RELEASED. Mike Wimmer and Frank Keating's 5th book is released. September 22, 2020 Savannah, GA and Oklahoma City, OK Former 2-term Governor Frank Keating and Oklahoma's most prolific artist Mike Wimmer are noting the release of their 6th collaboration. This time they have combined their talents to celebrate the life of America's founding father Alexander Hamilton. This is the 4th book in a series of books documenting the lives of America’s Founding Fathers. The book was officially released on September 22, 2020 by Simon and Schuster Publishing. Governor Keating is now retired in Oklahoma City, OK with his wife Cathy and Mike Wimmer moved to Savannah, GA in 2017 where he has shares his love of art with his wife Jime and where they both serve as Professors at the renowned Savannah College of Art and Design. Governor Keating and Mike Wimmer are hard at work on their next collaboration on Founding Father John Adams. Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father, a Constitutional Convention delegate, author of the Federalist Papers, and the first secretary of the US Treasury, is brought to life with this vivid and accessible illustrated biography. Alexander Hamilton was an unknown immigrant, an orphan, a boy of no connections but, still, despite all odds, had an important role in transforming the world. As George Washington’s right-hand man, Hamilton helped bring victory to America during the Revolutionary War, wrote most of the Federalist papers, and helped to build a country. Author Frank Keating’s detailed historical facts are complemented by stunning paintings from Mike Wimmer to form a portrait that will fascinate young readers. (author’s note, artist’s note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 8-11) Pub Date: September 22, 2020 ISBN: 978-1-5344-0656-8 Page count: 32pp Publisher: Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster   Charles Dennis “Denny” Cresap | AftonI had the distinct privilege and honor to be chosen to paint the portrait of Mr. Denny Cresap for his induction into this year's Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Being selected as an inductee into the Hall of fame is the Oklahoma's Highest honor. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Charles Dennis “Denny” Cresap became an Oklahoman in 1952. He attended the University of Oklahoma and served in the U.S. Army before marrying Diana “Gail” Campbell. In 1968 the couple purchased a small Anheuser-Busch distributorship in Bartlesville—Northeast Distributing Company—and son John joined the family business twenty years later. The family next purchased the Budweiser distributorship in Oklahoma City, Premium Beers of Oklahoma, and grew it into one of the top 15 Anheuser-Busch distributorships in the United States. After selling Premium Beers to Anheuser-Busch in St. Louis, Missouri, the family established the Cresap Family Foundation. Through the foundation, the Cresap’s now dedicate their time and resources to improving the quality of life for their fellow Oklahomans. The Foundation’s areas of emphasis are youth and families, health and wellness, education, arts and humanities, and animal welfare. Today, Cresap and his wife Gail make their home in Afton.  The Cresap Family Foundation was established in 2012 upon the final sale of the family’s business, Premium Beers of Oklahoma, one of the largest Anheuser-Busch distributorships in the United States. The family’s spirit of giving dates as far back as 1968 when a self-made auto dealer purchased a little Anheuser-Busch distributorship in Bartlesville, OK. They continue this spirit of charity today through the Cresap Family Foundation. The Directors of the Cresap Foundation look at the needs in the communities in which they fund with a focus on helping those most in need. This is evidenced by their generous giving year by year. https://cresapfoundation.org/history/ THE PROCESS Starts by getting to know your subject. I was very fortunate to receive a beautifully written and produced biography about Denny and his history. It was filled with stories and photographs of his life made me even more eager to represent the man that is referred to as, "Every body's Friend". So when the time came to meet with Mr. Cresap at his beautiful Lake home in Afton, Oklahoma that looks over Grand Lake of the Cherokees I already had some insight into his personality. Denny's beautifully charming wife hosted me for an intimate dinner with their son John the night before the sitting so that we all might get to know each other. The next morning I took a number of photographs of Mr. Cresap from many different angles and also collected a few photographs of a younger Mr. Cresap. These kind of photographs are invaluable for the artist. It allows me to better analyze the structure of the models features and those unique aspects such as posture, smile, etc. In a portrait, I am not only trying to capture a likeness, but to capture and record personality, manner and that those with whom they are close, will instantly recognize. I also look for elements of the sitter's surroundings that reflect the interests and accomplishments of their life. A successful portrait is a biography in paint. A novel of the client's life that will live well beyond the mortal and touch on the immortal. Details in the painting are visual reminders of the infinite features of a lifetime. Sometimes in the process, you recognize a detail that needs adjustment. Note the head of the dog standing next to Denny below. I wanted to portray the devotion of the Cresap's beloved pet so I scraped out the original underpainting and repainted in the more adoring face of their Bernese Mountain dog. Also take note of the surrounding collectibles, hand gestures, and elegant yet casual manner of this business man with the friendly smile. The details are important even to the selection of the frame. Here you see a few of the frame ideas.  This is a commission for the Oklahoma State Capitol that I have been working on for the past 5 months while teaching full time. In the image below I'm preparing the canvas, with the preliminary 2'x3' painting on the canvas. For a painting this complex I spent quite a bit of time sketching out the many elements while working out the finished composition.  I have been painting my children's portrait since they have been born as a documentary of their childhoods. Now I continue that tradition with my grandchildren. This is a portrait of my granddaughter Eilee. Here we see little Eilee picking out the one that she will take home with her. Below are some images of the painting in progress. This is "pure pleasure". I just start painting with no preparation "All Prima". I lay in the composition with a thin transparent Imprimatura and then build up the values and color on Eilee. I work from the focal point outward. Afterwards I think needs Eilee needs a little help so I quickly lay in a scarecrow. Pure bliss!  I had the distinct honor of being commissioned to paint the family portrait for the Love Country Stores Headquarters. Below are some of the process pictures of the painting. And there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the smile of a happy customer.   My portrait for James C. Day was dedicated for his induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on November 21, 2019. Mr. Day is a retired oilman who has served, or is currently serving, on a number of public company's board of directors, including EOG Resources, Inc., Noble Energy, Inc., Tidewater, Inc., Global Industries, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the Society of Petroleum Engineers, and is a member of the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy Board of Visitors at the University of Oklahoma. He is an honorary board member of the American Petroleum Institute, where he previously served on the Policy Committee and as chairman of the General Membership Committee. In 2007, Day established the James C. and Teresa K. Day Foundation with a focus on education. Through the foundation and personally, he has been a strong supporter of many Oklahoma endeavors and entities, including the Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma Historical Society, Oklahoma History Center, Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, Charles B. Goddard Center for Visual and Performing Arts, Inc., Arcadia Trails, Pond Creek-Hunter High School, and the University of Oklahoma. Day also served as co-chair for the 125th Live On University Campaign for the University of Oklahoma. Below are some images of the painting in progress. I first create a charcoal study to better inform myself of the structure and personality of Mr. Day. I then create a small color study of the composition, which you see in the last image, as a guide for the final painting. I am so excited to bring the long awaited fruits of my labor of love to Oklahoma History Center for an exhibition for an extended run to June 2019. I will be hosting an "Artist Talk and Reception" Thursday March 21, 2019 starting at 5:30-7:30. The exhibition consists of the paintings and drawings started at my residency at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel 2 years ago. The paintings represent my admiration of that unique passion that sparks each of us to "Work".  Wow, what an honor, my painting, "Will Work for a Better Future for My Family" part of my series, "Will Work For", was judged to be included in Artist's Magazine worldwide competition and highlighted in the January issue of Southwest Art. Please go out and find a copy :-)
Im very proud of this series and am so happy that the series is finding outlets for expression. Ive recently moved to Savannah, to teach at SCAD Savannah College of Art and Design and have started working on new images from the area.  I was asked to help and be a part of this incredible project to celebrate the win of OU's newest Heisman recipient, Baker Mayfield, for Sooner Sports. It happened quickly. I received a call and asked if I could paint a portrait, while cameras recorded the process, so that it could be mixed with action footage of Mayfield's incredible season. I was excited, and felt it would be a challenge. I arrived at Headington Hall, on the top floor of the OU campus and started setting up my easel and canvas as the cameramen started setting up their equipment. The at around 10;45, I started the process and painted nonstop for about 2 hours until I placed my signature mark in the lower right corner. Not bad for a few hours work.
BOOMER SOONER!!! Click on the image for video. The "Will Work For" projects is starting to get some legs and some attention. This was a nice article that appeared in the January 22, 2017 Sunday Oklahoman.
 Picture Credit by Phi Ngyuen Original Story written by Mark Beutler for the Ok Gazette Nov. 16, 2016 Mike Wimmer has impressive credentials. More than 40 of the Oklahoma artist’s paintings are on display at the state Capitol. He also has created some of the country’s most iconic pieces of commercial art, including Mr. Clean and the Brawny paper towel guy, and has designed book covers for some of the nation’s top publishers.
Wimmer recently added another prestigious credit to his resume as the newest artist-in-residence at The Skirvin Hilton Oklahoma City, 1 Park Ave. The yearlong residency allows him to set up shop in the hotel, where he will work on his latest project. “As a portrait artist, I am a natural observer of people and all of the differences that make us unique,” Wimmer told Oklahoma Gazette. “It is this diversity I want to portray. We have all observed the many people who feel their only way to make ends meet is by standing on street corners, holding cardboard signs saying ‘Will Work for Food.’ I was inspired to ask myself, and then later others, what they would work for. What inspires them as individuals to sacrifice their lives, their labor and their love enough that they will work for it?” Wimmer said he will use the public window and the Skirvin’s centralized location as the base of operations for gathering his inspiration and research. He will also use the location to create and display his work. “I want to help bring a visual display of answers to questions we are all asking, like ‘What gives life purpose?’” he said. “I want to contribute as much prominence to each model and each voice as I do to the corporate captains of industry, politicians and noted celebrities I have been commissioned to paint.” One of his earliest inspirations for this project was a young man from California named Dwayne. Wimmer said he had hired him to do some carpentry work around his house when Wimmer was struck by his facial features. “We talked a bit, and I learned Dwayne’s story as a former gang member in California,” Wimmer said. “He had moved to Oklahoma to make a new beginning and wanted to work to make a better life for himself and his family. So I showed him with his tool belt attached and holding a sign that says, ‘I will work to build a better life for my family.’ He is a perfect example of what I hope to document and capture in this project.” The artist-in-residency program is sponsored through the Paseo Arts Association, and a different artist is selected each year. Wimmer said the downtown location is perfect for his new project. “The Skirvin is forward-thinking enough and involved in the arts, and they are supplying the studio that faces Broadway,” he said. “It has an open window to the world at street level.” He’s expecting more interruptions but is looking forward to the interaction. The diversity of the downtown workforce will make up the bulk of his work, Wimmer said. He hopes to capture all walks of life, from the business people who work in the office towers to blue-collar workers, local celebrities and politicians. “I will set up a studio with my paints, palettes, canvases and easel so people walking by can observe the creation process,” he said. “And when I’m not there, they can see the paintings and sketches displayed as they are finished as well as some of the selected cardboard signs created during the process.” When his residency is over, Wimmer said he plans to have an exhibition of the work he has created throughout the year. He might even consider producing a book to accompany the project. “I have been a great admirer of humanity, with all its diversity, origins and destinations,” he said. “I have been an avid reader of biographies my whole life because of my curiosity. I have often wondered what makes someone a hero. What path did they take, what choice did they make that made them someone we celebrate as worthy of our attention? That is part of the origins of this project. I am very curious what people consider worthy enough, that they would sacrifice their time and labors toward that goal.” Print headline: Inquisitive art, Artist Mike Wimmer uses his time as artist-in-residence at The Skirvin to study what drives people.  "A BALANCED APPROACH" will be for sale at the auction September 23, 2016 at the Science Museum Oklahoma.
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AuthorMike Wimmer is a portrait artist Living, Teaching and Painting in Savannah, Georgia Archives
June 2024
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