b'6 CampusSTANLEY RAYFIELDPainting thePresidential PortraitRichmond artist Stanley Rayfield had already painted three outstanding individuals from the Union Presbyterian Seminary communityKatie GenevaCannon,SyngmanRhee,andSamRobertswhenhewas commissioned for retiring president Brian Blounts portrait. I had met him and wanted to capture what I thought were salient aspects to his character, says Rayfield. To immediately establish him as preacher and teacher, I set the painting in Watts Hall, with him at the pulpit.I knew how important family is to him, so his wedding ring is prominent, as is the Bible he has carried for so many years. I also knew that he is an excellent listener. He is very interested in others. He respects them and pays close attention to them. In the painting, he is looking directly at you.and very seriously.I deliberately did not choose a photo of him smiling to work with. He of course has a wonderful smile, but I wanted a serious expression because I thought it contained so much of what he is as scholar, preacher, leader, and pastor.Stanley Rayfields work has garnered national acclaim, starting when he entered the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery portrait competition at age 19. A painting of his father titled Dad earned second place in the competition. Rayfield has honed his portraiture skills throughout the years, and his award-winning fine art portraits have been acquired by the United States Pentagon, universities, collectors, and museums, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Art. His work is often featured in prominent art publications. A famous collector of Rayfields artwork is Academy Award-winning film director Spike Lee. In 2022, Rayfield painted the official portrait of Ralph Northam, governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022. He is the first African American to paint a gubernatorial portrait in Virginia. MORE ONLINE Learn more about Stanley Rayfield online. His biography and a selection of his paintings can be seen at: Stanley Rayfield poses with Brian and Sharon Blount (top) at the unveiling of Dr. Blounts presidential portrait in the spring. The artwork now hangsin Watts Hall. www.stanleyrayfield.com Other portraits by Stanley Rayfield include Sam Roberts (above left), Katie Geneva Cannon (above right) and Syngman Rhee (bottom). All of Rayfields portraits are exhibited on the Richmond Campus of the Seminary. Sharon & Brook 2023 FALL ISSUE'