Evel Knievel

Portrait of Evel Knievel (Robert Craig Knievel) 1938 – 2007. Evel was born in Butte, Montana. After being sacked from the Anaconda Mining Company for pulling a wheelie in an earth mover, Evel settled on a career as a part time burglar and selling insurance. Evel did well selling insurance and discovered that mental patients were good customers. Selling insurance didn’t really do it for Evel though and so he embarked upon a career as a motorcycle daredevil. During his many televised jumps, Evel has broken 40 bones. By his own admission, Evel only put his life on the line for the money and the women. In this portrait Evel is around 60. Evel became a Born Again Christian in 2004 and died 30.11.07 while myself and Scottish portrait artist John Boyle were painting him as part of our 'America's Finest' project.... It came as a shock as you form a kind of relationship with someone as you paint their face. Rest in peace Evel. 60 x 60 cm deep canvas. Group D