Gordon Connell in the role of Mark Twain, as he appeared in "Big River" on Broadway. This is a watercolor on paper, 16x20. I was honored to be able to witness Mr. Connell's transformation into Mark Twain backstage, a little jealous from a lone artist's standpoint. My art is to remain the same, true to myself and my subject. His is to become another being altogether. The landscape background was influenced by my love of the Hudson River School. It is actually a view of the Hudson River from the painter Frederick Church's home Olana in Hudson, New York. He painted it many times and it is one of the best views. I never tire of painting That view myself.