Television- Miracle Workers

Portrait Painter, "Miracle Workers" - Los Angeles
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Steve Buscemi, Geraldine Viswanathan, Karan Soni, Jon Bass
In collaboration with Art Director Marissa Leguizamon, I was commissioned to paint Steve Buscemi as God for the television series"Miracle Workers." I was given the unique task of capturing Steve Buscemi's portrayal of God—not as the omnipotent figure traditionally depicted in art and scripture but as an 'average Joe.' This portrayal was infused with irony, depicting God in a cliché business-style portrait, complete with books in the background to underscore the comedic twist that, despite being surrounded by literature, he is illiterate.

The inspiration behind this project was rooted deeply in the show's comedic take on divinity, adapted from a book where God is portrayed in a light-hearted, relatable manner. Tasked with painting God (Steve Buscemi) in this unconventional light, I relied on my creativity and a series of high-resolution photographs of Buscemi to piece together the desired portrait. This process involved a careful selection of images and a photoshopped version provided by the production team as my guide.

The timeline was tight, with only three weeks from commission to delivery. Factoring in a week-long break for Thanksgiving, I effectively had just two weeks to complete the painting and prepare it for shipment from Los Angeles to Georgia. To meet these demands, I constructed a custom-sized frame, stretched the canvas myself, and employed a mapping technique to ensure fidelity to the photoshopped guide without major abnormalities.

The portrait plays a significant role in the first episode of "Miracle Workers," contributing significantly to the comedic atmosphere of the series. Its presence not only underscores the show's humorous take on celestial matters but also highlights the intricate blend of comedy and artistry. Originally aired on TBS and now available on HBO Max, the show—and by extension, the portrait—has reached a wide audience, serving as a testament to the impactful collaboration between art and television comedy.