Posthumous Portrait: Orr

This painting was commmissioned in 1994 by The Westminster Schools in Atlanta Georgia. Fritz Orr had been instrumental in the success of the school from it's earliest days. By consulting with friends and family members Tom determined that the facial expression in the casual photo at left best captured Fritz as they knew him.

In Tom's painting Fritz is in a suit standing outdoors with the property that became part of the Westminster grounds in the background. Tom used a manikin while capturing the colors and perspective of the scene in a small oil study. (below)

Tom also created a hand rail where there was none and made the driveway dirt as it had originally been.

At left are some of Tom's studies used in making the portrait.

On the floor is a study of Fritz's head based on the original photo.

On the left easel are three more studies; two color studies done outdoors and a quarter scale painting in oil to work out the composition.