Lipscomb alum presents O'Connor portrait to College of Law
Chris Pepple |
On September 12, Michael Shane Neal (’91) presented a portrait of retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to the law school that bears her name during a ceremony attended by local dignitaries, faculty, students and staff. The portrait, which was commissioned by four of Justice O'Connor's former law clerks and painted over the course of two years by Neal, was unveiled at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. It depicts the smiling, silver-haired justice in a red suit, seated in a chair across which her black justice robe is draped.
"I so appreciate this beautiful piece," said Justice O'Connor, shortly before helping Neal remove the portrait's drape to exclamations of and applause from more than 100 people assembled in the College's Armstrong Hall. "It has a welcoming look, and I like that, too, because I want everyone at this law school to know how welcome they are, whether they are faculty or students, first year or third year, and their families, too."
Justice O'Connor told Neal she wished to be painted with a smile on her face, because she wanted young law students to feel welcome when they saw it, and she also didn't want to wear her robes, as this was the first portrait since her retirement from the court in 2005.
"Through much of my life I have known the Justice and her many accomplishments through books, television and from my educators in school," the Neal said. "What an incredible pleasure not only to get to know her in person and in paint, but also to discover that she is a warm, engaging and thoughtful human being."
Neal said he was both thrilled, and relieved, about the Justice's reaction to and approval of the portrait.
"I had the sense throughout that I had better do a good job," he said, laughing.
Kent Syverud, Dean of the Washington University School of Law, said Neal's work is "the best portrait of Justice O'Connor that exists anywhere. This is not just a depiction of an important person; this is an important work of art.”
In 1990, Neal successfully launched his career as a portrait artist. In 2001, winning the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition catapulted his career into the national spotlight. The media attention that came with that win boosted his career quickly. The art curator for the United States Senate was among those who took note of his win. After being asked to submit a portfolio to the curator, Neal received word that he would be commissioned to paint Senator Arthur Vandenberg for the United States Capitol. This commission placed Neal among the youngest artists ever commissioned by the United States Senate. The Vandenberg portrait hangs in the Senate Reception Room with only six other portraits. “It’s an honor to think of my work as being permanently installed in a place with such a rich history,” Neal comments.
Neal has since completed numerous still life paintings and over 400 portraits including U.S. Senators, corporate and civic leaders, college presidents and family portraits commissioned by people across the nation and now this portrait of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor to hang in Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. Neal is currently painting former Lipscomb President Steve Flatt, Senator Bill Frist for the U.S. Capitol, Senator Arlen Specter for Yale Law School, former Chancellor of Vanderbilt Gordon Gee, Warren Staley, Cargill Incorporated, and Del Sawyer, Dean Emeritus, The Blair School of Music.