Mixed Media Painting “Johnson Sweeps Four”

As I rebuild my website I am re-posting some blog posts that I really couldn’t migrate from other sites. This was first posted November 1st 2009. It is interesting to look back and see what may have been going on back then. I have no idea what happen to the mixed media painting, all that remains are the digital files for printing. Following is the original post.

I have been a racing fan since I was kid. Many who know me are acquainted with our family racing heritage. My father Bob ONeill raced dirt short tracks in Kansas and Nebraska for over fifty years. Dad was still piloting a sprint car a few years ago…he is in his seventies. Anyway I had the privilege of many hours of windshield time cruising the highways with my parents always on the way to another race. For a kid like me it was a dream childhood. Our family raced frequently, sometimes three times a week. My mother did a stint running 250 micro sprints until a stuck throttle caused an accident that nearly took her life. I raced Sprint Cars, 1200cc Mini-Sprints, carts and even some stock cars. My son Josh showed promise as he came up racing carts. Anyway you get the idea. I am a big fan of racing and Nascar is really the only sport on TV that I watch.
It is surprising that I have rarely created any art to reflect my passion for racing. When I was a young military photographer we used to get press passes from Navy Times or Army Times and we covered many of the Nascar races. I have had the opportunity to watch the sport since the late seventies. With the Sprint Cup Chase this year I was truly enamored with the stories behind the story. A driver with dirt-track sprint car roots, Tony Stewart forms a brand new team and both cars make the chase. A guy my age (considered to be the old timer) Mark Martin makes the Chase and almost pulls off a Championship. My youngest son’s favorite, Jeff Gordon, has a chance of another points Championship and finally Jimmie Johnson three time champion has a chance to make history. No one has ever one four in a row. Incredible. Even if they are not your favorite team you have to marvel that one team can do that in a sport that is hyper-competitive.
So anyway, my tribute to Jimmie Johnson and Hendrick Motor Sports, Four Cup Championships….in a row. AWESOME.