I met Mike Markhoff back in 2015, or so, when I was getting back to playing lacrosse after the birth of my second son. I was playing with a bunch of over-30-somethings who were doing this as a social outlet. I finally accepted that I was playing in an age where winning isn't an utmost priority, but being healthy and able to play on a regular basis is a success. His still playing at 50 really impressed me.
As we got to know each other, he commissioned me to do the college graduation portraits for his son and daughter. Not too long ago, his son, Adam, asked me to do a custom piece for his Dad, as present for his upcoming 60th birthday celebration. I gladly accepted while being told to keep it under the radar. As soon as I was given the photo to replicate, I went right to work on it.
As I was executing the piece, I kept on thinking about how this all started because of playing lacrosse, and being in a network that shared and celebrated a complete love for the game. That love for the game was highlighted in Markhoff's 60th birthday party at House of Sports in Ardsley, NY, where we play our winter indoor league. His family rented out the facility to have a game played with all of us, while being watched by his friends and family members. Yes, a bunch of people over 40 playing a kids game!
Post-game dinner and birthday cake was served. But a pic of Mike holding his custom piece was taken before the festivities ended. With both of his kids in attendance, whom I did custom portraits of, it was a great way to see it all come full circle, sort-of-speak. This time being their Dad.
All images ©TheArtofLax™ by Vincent Ricaiso
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