Having someone paint your portrait is way better than getting a photograph. Wait a sec, isn't that what we tell our shy clients?

That said, I'm voting to get more than one. I'd hate to be pinned down by anyone's opinion, so I'd like more of a survey approach. I'll take one Odd Nerdrum, one Tony Ryder, and one Elizabeth Marie Vigee le Brun. That should about cover it; I can interpolate a perfected visage from those. Hey, this is for posterity right? I want my grandkids thinking I was a deep, subtle, interesting.... Well, hottie. To be perfectly honest.

The artist I would choose would depend on whether I wanted beauty or truth (in my case, the two are not the same thing!) For beauty I'd choose Sanden, for truth, Shanks.

Steven,

I see that you have discovered that Shiner, Texas beer, brewed(?) about an hour SSE of Austin. It's fermented from twice used and three times rejected tamale husks. That stuff will really impair your judgement.

I believe that some day Colleen Lilah McCarty will do a killer portrait of her father.

They brew that? I assumed it was boiled. Go figure.

I have a lot to learn about Texas. And a short attention span on the topic so far. I think I'm in trouble. Hook 'em, Horns, and all that. (Oh, and, Go Sooners!) [How 'bout dem Vikings, den?] When in Texas, talk football, I've learned.

Hey . . . maybe some of the Horns' parents would commission portraits of their NFL-hopefuls. Burnt orange skin tones, of course, with some kind of blue complement -- the "ever-blue" Texas skies perhaps, or a bluebonnet montage.

Sorry, gotta run. I'm working on an idea . . .

P.S. Directions, Mike, I need accurate GPS-quality directions to the brewery. Including back home.

Vanity fair
 

To keep my answer as simple as the question and because I am 15 months away from the big 50 and have always thought I was a throwback from the 19th century, it would have to be our own Karin Wells. That would be an honor.

Steven,

Being a native Yankee then moving to TX 10 years ago, I hear ya. If I get one more person ask me to paint Bluebonnets I am gonna crack.

I finally sold out and did one. As long as I never paint a still life with boots and a saddle I'll hang onto my honor a bit.

The real name of the Bluebonnet painting is "HERE! Buy the **** flowers, Y'ALL"

Here in Louisiana, they like magnolias. I wouldn't paint one on a bet :)

Send that commission to me, I'll do it. Old Montana farm kid here. Gave up horses when I discovered motorcycles. Still have the boots, and a hat by golly (though it's an Aussie Akubra, not a U.S. of A. Stetson).

I'd paste in here a good saddle and boots shot, but I don't really have permission (though it would be okay) and it's not a portrait (which is kind of against the grain). I'll email it to you and to anyone who requests it.

You got it cowboy.

I'm sure your boot painting would sell faster than my snow scenes here. People come in and ask, "Is snow really that color?" I am always amazed at people who have never seen snow. My own kids do not remember it. I'm ashamed.

There is a cowboy artist in a small town down the road, Sabinal I think, who makes a fine living only painting real working cowboys. He is very good. I think he mostly goes to the rodeos to sell them. I'll try & find his name. He has a beautiful coffee table book out on his work.

Simple Answer: Bill Whitaker

I would be very pleased to own an original painting by many artists including Nelson Shanks. After all, this being hypothetical and money being no object. But since I am an artist with limited income and even less fame the truth is the chance of me owning a Shanks or Whitaker original are slim.