Mixed Media Painting by Nebraska Artist Tim ONeill

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 cover 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.

This painting will be reproduced in several ways.  Oil reproductions are available at 875.00, giclee prints on canvas are 325.00, giclee prints on  photo paper are 59.00.  The size is 20x24.

If the cart is not up and running you can email Tim at tim@timoneillstudio.com.

I love living in the Great Plains region of the United States. One of the hidden benefits of this area is an ample opportunity to paint mixed media portraits. The folks who live here are hardworking, generous and extremely independent. That means a huge variety of individuals who all look and act differently...prime real estate for unique personalities to paint. I am sure all areas may have some of that but people are very approachable here.

Lakota Pride came about from a Pow Wow that was hosted by a local business. Native American Dancers from all over came to compete for prize money and titles. I love to watch dance competition in general and Native American dance is truly fascinating. The regalia that dancers wear is impressive and most times the pieces were made by the members of the dancers family. It also is a huge family gathering and great food, awesome music, children's giggles and even belly laughs permeate the atmosphere at these events. What more could a visual artist want?

There are many opportunities to capture the essence of beautiful people. As I was watching the young women dance I noticed this particular dancer. What caught my eye was the intensity with which she took to her task. She was very focused and seemed to have a poise that the other dancers lacked. After the dance that I was watching ended, I went to talk with her parents to see if I could paint her. They gave me the okay and we grabbed a few images to use as photo reference.

It was months later that I came back to her reference images. I was working on another mixed media portrait in the Western Genre and came across her again. I took a closer look at her and again I was struck by the poise of this young women. Not only was she an accomplished dancer and seamstress (she made her own regalia) but she was a competitor and an athlete. At the time of her painting she was 15.

I thought that there was much wisdom and pride in the way she looked at people so I named the image Lakota Pride. It is a 24x30 mixed media on canvas.

Original is SOLD, 4,200.00 Private collection in GA. We do have a few Artist Proofs available. They are 30x40canvas on masonite and hand embellished by the artist. Each artist proof is unique and they are always limited to 5.