RodgerHodger

The last of his kind was put to sleep in March of last year after his health had deteriorated through his advanced years. Once captured in 1975  and brought to the Czech Republic to be showcased at their zoo for their African collection. As numbers had dropped significantly in the wild Sudan along with 6 other white riders were to put to work to help restock the dwindling populace. He was successful as both a father and grandfather. It was deemed by experts that Sudan return to Africa to better his breeding chances in a more natural environmental. But the trials proved unsuccessful because Sudan was beyond breeding years. He lived back in Africa with his daughter Najin and granddaughter and Fatu under heavy surveillance and protection due to fears of poaching.  Pencil, gouache, graphite dust and Photoshop.

Panamanian born actress who made a career out of playing a range of characters in television. In particular on Magnum PI where she had a recurring role as Thomas Magnums wife Michelle Hue. I was always a big fan of the show and was smitten with this lady( the actress or the character or both?). Sadly, I looked her up one night last year to see where her career had taken her and found out she had passed away( brain aneurysm) Was a hard image to capture and I hope I did my best  to depict the beauty of her face which always intrigued me as to its origins. French? Spanish?Part of Asia mixed in? I will have another attempt at some point down the track. Pencil, gouache and Photoshop.

An American writer, editor, publisher and producer Stan Lee will be forever regarded as one of the founding members of the comic book universe of Marvel( the other contributors being Steve Dikto and Jack "The King" Kirby).  Spiderman, The Hulk, The Fantastic Four, Doctor Strange, Black Panther and Ant - Man but to name a few all sprang from the fertile imagination from "The Man". Following in the successful steps of DC comics, Lee approached his gallery of  super characters with a level of complexity that had seldom been seen in such material. They were flawed, problematic characters who despite their gifts ( or curse in some respects) had to navigate  the problems of the real world just like the rest of us mere mortals. Which I think was the key to their longevity and enduring success. When I think back on  my childhood and teenage years and flipping through those wonderful pages I would not have had it any other way. What a wonderful way to grow up. Thank you Stan. Pencil and Photoshop.

American Vietnam war veteran  politician who succumbed to  an aggressive form off brain cancer on August 25 of this year. Having been shot down over Hanoi in a bombing raid he was captured by the North Vietnamese and treated poorly despite his injuries. He was given an opportunity to leave when it determined that his father was an Admiral but refused unless the other soldiers captured before him were let go as well. Having refused preferential treatment he spent 5 1/2 years as a POW in which time he came close to death and considered suicide as a serious option due to the lengthy and barbaric treatment of his captors. Upon release he underwent extensive therapy to repair what had been done but his injuries diminished the full use of both his arms.
After leaving his career as a naval captain he entered politics. Generally adhering to conservative values he was known to operate against the grain when it came to certain issues like gun control and the LGBT community for which he took a more progressive stance then his party. His race  for the Presidency was thwarted twice. Once in 2000 by George W. Bush then again in 2008 by  Barack Obama. But his influence and popularity never wavered in the 29 years he served in the U.S Senate. Pencil, graphic dust, gouache and Photoshop.

Was asked by colleague to  do a portrait of  partner. Pencil.