The Kite Man. 6x6, Oil on board. (NFS)

I saw this man at a local park recently flying this amazing kite. It was huge, like a mini Macy's day parade balloon that he was wrangling all by himself. I took a bunch of photos and then went over to talk to him, upon which he lost control of the kite and excused himself to become very seriously engaged in bringing it down safely. 

Today is the memorial service for a very dear family friend of ours. I was thinking of him as I was painting this and I think the kite man kind of looks like him. I've never seen him fly a kite, but, for reasons not completely known to me, this one's for you, Bob. We love you, wherever you are.