A while ago I got an assignment from The Hollywood Reporter to do a portrait of Michael Jackson for a story about who and what led to his demise, and the problems that have arisen with the management of his estate.   The story was published this week.  The main focus of the story is Tohme Tohme, a "shadowy" figure that handled many of Jackson's finances during the last year of his life.   Tohme is shown here at the top.  I had been painting some small characters and animals and brought them all together here as a collage with the portrait.  Some process and details are below.

Initial rough sketch in pencil at top and some pictures of the collage in progress below.

"The Most Litigated Star in Hollywood History"
In life, Michael Jackson was one of the most incandescent stars showbiz had ever seen.  But as his luster began to fade, the vultures began to circle, leaving the executors of his estate in legal battles with crazies, creditors and, now, the shadowy guru at the King of Pop's side in his final days