When I began thinking of new works for the MOCA Cleveland exhibition of My American Dream it became obvious that I needed to include images of LeBron James, who represents the very epitome of what My American Dream stands for, indeed for most people’s interpretation of the American Dream. He is also now the historic hometown hero for Cleveland and Ohio, and I wanted to make sure, as I’m a populist at heart (if this doesn’t have negative connotations these days) and make works that were inclusive to the area, making all feel included, while at the same time giving me inspiration to paint this great man who achieved all and broke the curse for a community with his incredible heart, mind, skill, and talents.

LeBron was raised by a struggling single mother in Akron, who realized it might be better for him to have a stable family life and together they decided he would live with Frank Walker and his family. Walker was the local football coach, who introduced James to basketball when he was 9, and soon James played for the Northeast Ohio Shooting Stars as part of the Amateur Athletic Union. Together with his friends Sian Cotton, Dru Joyce III, and Willie McGee they soon became famous as the “Fab 4,” and elected to attend St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, controversial, as it was a predominately white private Catholic school. There Romeo Travis joined the team, and LeBron with his now “Fab 5” led the school to great victories, landing LeBron to be the first high school player on the cover of Sports Illustrated and more.

Despite all odds, LeBron was able to have the vision and fortitude to achieve all, and with the support of his friends, family, coaches, school and community, to bring him and his world to new, visionary heights. While painting this picture, I listened to the great autobiography Shooting Stars, and LeBron’s favorite music from this time, in addition to watching footage of the games and interviews of his high school years, to get into the spirit and the feeling of what it must have been like to be in the huddle with these great kids achieving their (and their world’s!) dreams.