Over the years, I have decorated the walls of many family members with paintings that aren't my "usual" look. I once painted a 60x60 Zebra eye close up, a 36x48 Sailing ship at sea, and a recreation of my father-in-laws farm, among many others. Rooster is one of those paintings done as a Christmas gift (2011). Bonnie's mother's maiden name is Hahn which means "Rooster" in some European language, and so I created this grand portrait of my favorite Rooster from our farm (from a few years back). For my mother-in-law, I wanted to capture the brilliant iridescence in his stately pose in a field of flowers that would essentially brighten up her kitchen and make a "happy place" when she walked by. She tells me it worked ~ she stops and smiles every time.  

~ Mark Keathley