An amazing true story with which so many can identify and draw strength as they struggle to break through their own personal, professional and spiritual barriers. Steve R. Skipper is one of America's most prolific and honored painters and sketch artists. His works have hung in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the U.S. Capitol, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Paul W. "Bear" Bryant Museum as well as in the National Art Museum of Sport, in NCAA headquarters, and in many other venues nationwide. They also grace the walls of private collectors and sports notables worldwide. Thousands have purchased his inspiring Christian art. He has been commissioned to paint some of the biggest stars in sports from NASCAR, the NFL, professional golf, the NCAA, the Olympics, the NBA and others, ranging from Heisman Trophy winners to inductees into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. But there is so much more to this highly talented artist's story. First, though praised for his technical skill and creativity, he is entirely self-taught. Secondly, he became one of the first African-Americans to gain acceptance in the art world. Even more amazing is the fact that this gentle, soft-spoken man was not only once a member of a violent street gang, but he was also the gang's chief enforcer, the fierce collector of drug debts, and even sold drugs to his high school classmates and football teammates. The big transformation in Steve Skipper's life-one that almost certainly saved his life-came at a simple church revival service, one he attended on a dare, more to mock than to listen. There, he experienced a deep religious experience that altered his self-destructive path completely. God spoke to him in a personal and powerful way and he left the gang the very next day, even though such a rejection of his Crip brothers almost certainly meant death. Today, with Steve Skipper's message, his success, and his talent, he inspires millions. And now, with this book, his story and powerful testimony will reach even more who so desperately need to hear his message of determination, salvation, strength through Christ, and deliverance from the demons that hold them back. Note that this book contains color reproductions of many of Steve Skipper's most compelling works of art.
Author Biography:
Steve R. Skipper is one of America's most prolific and honored painters and sketch artists. His works have hung in the Professional Football Hall of Fame, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the U.S. Capitol, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the U.S. Capitol, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and the Paul W. "Bear" Bryant Museum as well as in the National Art Museum of Sport, in NCAA headquarters, and in many other venues nationwide. They also grace the walls of private collectors and sports notables worldwide. Thousands have purchased his inspiring Christian art. He has been commissioned to paint some of the biggest stars in sports from NASCAR, the NFL, professional golf, the NCAA, the Olympics, the NBA and others, ranging from Heisman Trophy winners to inductees into the Professional Football Hall of Fame. However, this gentle, soft-spoken man was once a member of a violent street gang, their chief enforcer and collector of drug debts. His transformation came at a simple church revival service, one he attended on a dare, more to mock than to listen. There, he experienced a deep religious experience that altered his self-destructive path. Award-winning and best-selling author Don Keith has been a broadcast journalist and won awards from the Associated Press and United Press International for news writing and reporting. As an on-the-air broadcaster, Don was twice named Billboard Magazine "Radio Personality of the Year." His first novel, THE FOREVER SEASON, received the Alabama Library Association's "Fiction of the Year" award. He has since published more than thirty books, fiction and non-fiction, including the nationally best-selling thrillers FINAL BEARING, DANGEROUS GROUNDS, and FIRING POINT. The latter will be released as a major motion picture in late 2017 starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. His inspirational novella, THE LAST CHRISTMAS RIDE, co-written with Edie Hand, has also been optioned for the screen. Don's non-fiction work THE ICE DIARIES was submitted for consideration for the Pulitzer Prize. Don lives in Indian Springs Village, Alabama, with his wife, Charlene. His web site is www.donkeith.com. ...
