Last week the newest portrait of an Oregon governor was unveiled at the State Capitol. The portrait was 6 years in the making, partly because former governor Kitzhaber wasn’t sure he really wanted a portrait of himself. Jane Cease assured him that he did. Portland painter Henk Pander was engaged, and the portrait was painted. Both painter and subject spoke about the process wherein we learned that Governor Kitzhaber could sit very still for long periods of time, and that Henk Pander provided the governor with a mirror in which he could watch Pander painting, which fascinated him…the mixing of colors…the picture taking shape. No wonder he sat so still!
So Wednesday night we all went down to the capitol to see the portrait unveiled:
Painter and subject:
The former governor is somewhat famous for always wearing jeans, in portraits too:
and these two fans (Hi Karen, Hi Nancy) showed up–among many many others:
Henk Pander in the center with art historian Roger Hull on the right:
On The Way 