Okra and the Poppies, 2016, Acrylic on Board, 48 x 96
This mock was submitted in response to a request by Georgetown, Texas. They wanted a mural that would explain the history behind Henry “Okra” Compton and how he was responsible for Georgetown being nicknamed the poppy capital of Texas. The short story is, as a boy he planted fields of okra, thus earning his nickname. And as a soldier returning from World War 1 he brought poppy seeds from France and planted them all around Georgetown earning the town its nickname.
The project was postponed so I never knew if I was selected to do the work, or someone else. I have grown very fond of the painting, however.
Okra and the Poppies was selected for the 2017 Art Pop program in Las Vegas.