Tom Mason, a talented actor-turned-artist from Locust Valley, initially visited my studio, drawn by our reputation for capturing high-resolution images of artwork. Commissioned for exquisite paintings, Tom needed top-quality reproductions of his creations before handing them over to his clients. It wasn’t long before he began utilizing my studio as a creative workshop, where his visionary paintings took their first breath.
Accompanied by models dressed in attire that mirrored his artistic concept, Tom would meticulously direct the scene, conveying his specific lighting and composition requirements to me. My role evolved into offering suggestions and translating his vision into preliminary images, which then served as his blueprint while painting.
Our collaboration peaked with a particularly challenging yet rewarding project: a mural celebrating the 150th anniversary of the New York Fire Department. Envisioning firefighters in precise poses and illuminated by carefully angled lights, Tom came prepared with detailed sketches. We met at the Sekauteket firehouse, along with a group of firefighters who volunteered to model for this monumental piece. 
The resulting artwork, spanning over four feet in height and eight feet in width, now proudly adorns the walls of the fire training academy on Roosevelt Island. Participating in this meaningful endeavor and witnessing the unveiling of the mural was an honor, highlighting a memorable chapter in our collaborative journey.