InkShield - Sheldon Menery

Last year I was contacted by Jacob Covey, an Art Director with Wizards of the Coast, to work on a special Magic:The Gathering card project to honor Sheldon Menery, a player and judge credited as the 'Godfather of Commander” format for the game.

Sheldon was in a fight against throat cancer and Wizards' wanted to get this commission (a portrait of Sheldon casting one of his favorite instants Inkshield) out as quickly as possible. It was an honor to be considered by Sheldon for this project, as unknowingly he had chosen another person affected by cancer.

I was a cancer survivor myself (testicular cancer, 33 years ago as a young man) and embraced this portrayal of Sheldon as a way to pour my love of painting and appreciation of the game into this image, and to celebrate our mutual fight against cancer.

Unfortunately Sheldon lost his battle back in September, 2023 as I was working on this card.

I was saddened to now be creating a memorial portrait, a tribute to someone who has helped give great pleasure to millions through his dedication to Magic.

In Sheldon's honor and in his spirit of helping others, I will be auctioning off this portrait with all proceeds going to benefit the American Cancer Society (Sheldon's preferred charity) and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (my preferred choice).

May we see the day when cancer is defeated.

Details on the auction will follow in approximately another week.

Sheldon Menery - Inkshield
20" x 16" Oil on Panel