While on a visit to my hometown in South Carolina, my father took to me to his favorite Barbecue Joint.  The state is known for its real pit barbecue seasoned with pepper sauce.  The little boy in the painting was one of many hanging about outside of the restaurant.  They were there begging for quarters to play the video games inside.  

The young man would boldly position himself in front of the door careful not to miss an opportunity to ask for money.  Apparently he and the others loitered at the entrance most of the day.  The owner commented on how often she had to chase them off.  I heard her say in a deep Gullah accent, "That's the umpteenth time I had to run them childrens today."

In exchange for my quarter, the young man offered to pose for a photograph.  It is the reference I used for the artwork.  Unlike other children I have photographed, he did not smile.  He stood there with this profound look on his face.  It was as if he knew he was posing for this portrait.  I like the painting so much; I made it my first self-published print.