Man at His Best

With him being such a powerful figure, I needed to do a second painting of Muhammad Ali. I thought about the time he served "in exile." I thought about how he would've felt – as if everything that had made him him was taken away. How would I feel if this was art? 
 
I wanted to do a portrait of this time, but I didn't want to show such a strong figure – especially a strong Black figure – in such a vulnerable state. I found two Esquire covers to inspire my image. I went with the one that showed him plucking out the arrows, as opposed to him being shot with the arrows. 
 
This piece would be great in offices, man caves, bachelor pads or sports themed rooms.