Honoring a Life of Service

Honoring a Life of Service: The Portrait of Chief Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti
There are portraits that document a likeness, and there are portraits that seek to preserve a legacy.
I was recently honored to complete the official portrait of Chief Judge Timothy D. DeGiusti for the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma. The portrait was formally unveiled during a dedication ceremony attended by members of the legal community, family, colleagues, and friends.
Judge DeGiusti’s remarkable story immediately struck me as one worthy of thoughtful and respectful interpretation through portraiture. His life and career embody service at multiple levels — military, legal, and judicial. As I learned more about his background, I discovered a narrative deeply connected to both Oklahoma history and the broader American story. 

Raised in Oklahoma City during the era of school desegregation, Judge DeGiusti attended Douglass High School, an experience that profoundly shaped his worldview and understanding of justice, leadership, and community. Later, after graduating from the University of Oklahoma and the OU College of Law, he served as an Army JAG officer, trying numerous military court cases during his service in Germany and continuing his military career for more than two decades. He would later become a respected trial attorney, founding partner of a litigation firm, and eventually Chief Judge of the federal court. 
Portraiture at this level is always about far more than appearance. My goal was to create an image that reflected the gravity of the judicial role while still retaining the humanity and approachability that so many people describe when speaking about Judge DeGiusti.
The composition was intentionally classical and restrained. The courtroom environment, rich wood tones, American flag, and judicial seal were used to reinforce the solemnity and tradition of the federal bench. The law book held in his hand — Evidentiary Foundations — became both a visual anchor and symbolic reference to the principles upon which the legal system stands.
As with many commissions, I began the process with smaller oil studies. These studies allowed me to experiment with lighting, color harmonies, robe design, facial structure, and overall mood before committing to the final painting. I often find these preparatory works invaluable because they help reveal the emotional direction of the final portrait long before the larger canvas is complete.
In the finished work, I wanted the lighting to subtly emphasize clarity, integrity, and calm authority. Rather than dramatic theatricality, the painting called for quiet strength and enduring presence.
One of the greatest privileges of my career has been the opportunity to paint individuals whose lives have shaped institutions, communities, and history. Judicial portraiture carries a particularly important responsibility because these paintings become part of the court's historical and cultural record. Long after ceremonies conclude and generations pass, the portrait remains as a visual testimony to service and leadership.
I am deeply grateful to Judge DeGiusti and the Western District of Oklahoma for entrusting me with this commission and allowing me to contribute to that legacy.