Seriously, you know how seeing “The Strip” or “The Sack” or hearing the Bear’s voice over the jumbo-tron gives you chills? This article matched those feelings, plus some. John Mark is one of God’s special children, and I am honored he chose Alabama to love with all his heart.

I know Johnny would be happy to have a painting done of him. For that reason alone, I mustn’t rail too heavily against this. But I certainly have mixed (mostly negative) feelings about this painting. Bottom line: it adds nothing to an already priceless photograph. The photograph is perfection. You can see the unbridled joy in Johnny’s face, how he loved life, Alabama football, and his father.

Johnny’s eyes are closed in the photograph, and by trying to paint them open, the artist really screwed up Johnny’s face, making a nice-looking boy with down syndrome look deformed (which he wasn’t). Coach Stallings face is a little more accurate, but still looks more like a pretty convincing look-alike than the actual guy.

Lastly, while Daniel Moore’s paintings often add little details like hidden scores, motion blurs, more dramatic lighting, etc., this painting adds nothing. I don’t know the artist, and would never accuse him of trying to cash in on the emotional connection between Alabama fans and Johnny Stallings, but unless he is practically giving away these prints, it is hard to see what other motivation he could have.

I know this response may be met with accusations of cynicism and cries of “lighten up,” but I just don’t see what good it does anyone.

 I think that is a majority of the reason the Stallings commissioned it.

…to help out a worthy cause. My only gripe is that if it weren’t for John Mark being in the painting and knowing the photograph, I would wonder who he was sitting with. That doesn’t really look like Gene.