Fort McMurray artist's portait to raise funds for community support

An artist who was forced to evacuate from his home in Fort McMurray is using a portrait he did of the regional fire chief to make sure people in the community have support when they get to return.

“I escaped this thing with nothing but the shirt on my back, the flip flops on my feet and my paints in the car,” Russell Thomas told the CJME Morning Show Tuesday. 

As he and his family reunited and made their way to Calgary, Thomas began painting. He finished a portrait of Chief Dan George, did a painting of a horse, and then a portrait of Fort McMurray regional fire Chief Darby Allen.

“It sort of went right to the core of the heart of this story,” Thomas explained, calling Allen a humble man.

“It really more represents the courage and tenacity and commitment of the hundreds of men and women who have been on the front lines of this thing.”

The portrait itself will be presented to the fire department as a gift from Thomas’s family. Prints will be made of the portrait to be sold to benefit the United Way’s UnitedForFortMcMurray.ca campaign, which is dedicated to making sure there is support for people as they rebuild.

“Dealing with the shock is a collective experience that I think will draw us all together.”

A portrait begun at the Mark Amy Treatment Centre before the #ymmfire will get done today. #YMM pic.twitter.com/cUlh0gIPTG

— Russell Thomas (@rvthomas67) May 7, 2016

“May the stars carry your sadness away…may hope forever wipe away your tears.” Chief Dan George #ymm #ymmfire pic.twitter.com/t3DUXejEEx

— Russell Thomas (@rvthomas67) May 7, 2016

My first horse portrait, dedicated to the amazing folks who evacuated their equine pals during #ymmfire. #YMM pic.twitter.com/lSJXFrcDEm

— Russell Thomas (@rvthomas67) May 8, 2016

Portrait of a Fort McMurray hero – Chief Darby Allen. #ymmfire #ymm @RMWoodBuffalo @YourAlberta #fortmacfire pic.twitter.com/c4lkasANY0

— Russell Thomas (@rvthomas67) May 9, 2016