A portrait of Clint Eastwood hanging at the Portage and District Arts Centre has a local artist receiving accolades. Mike Blume's painting is a part of the Central Region Juried Art Exhibition, and his piece was named People's Choice by those who attended the exhibition in Carman during the judging period. Blume says he chose to use Eastwood as his subject as a fan of his movies. However, he also says it was a great picture of him, and Blume enjoys the challenge of painting famous portraits. 

Mike Blume

What makes Blume's accomplishments even more notable is the fact it's only the second portrait he's painted. He notes he's always had an interest in art, but didn't start to experiment with painting until very recently.

"I've always drawn and sketched as a kid, other than one time in high school. I took a class with Lee Beaton at PDAC to get the jumpstart to get into painting and using colours, because it's a totally different genre than drawing. That was just this winter passed, and this was only my second painting since taking those classes."

It was his first time submitting a piece to the Central Region Juried Art exhibition. Blume says while it's great to be a part of the exhibit, he's even more appreciative of the fact his work was chosen by the people, rather than the formal judges.

"I kind of thought I might have a chance, but when they first announced my name, then I kind of lost my breathe. I was so honoured because it was the people, it was what the people themselves wanted to see."

Blume says following this accomplishment he plans to keep on painting as much as he can. He encourages anyone who has been experimenting with art to take a course or challenge themselves, adding he wishes he had started painting years ago.