We've watched the Kentucky Derby for years. And for many of us, attending The Kentucky Derby is a bucket list item. I knew one day I'd make it to the grounds of Churchill Downs, but never thought it would be on Derby Day as a special guest in my capacity as The Official Artist of The Kentucky Derby. So it goes to reason that watching from our seats at the finish line was pretty emotional. I grew up painting, of course, but I also grew up watching horse racing with my Grandfather. The best part of the springtime classics was comparing notes and debating our picks (and scouring newspapers for grainy photos of horses in training to sketch). He always chose the Arkansas Derby winner, and I went for the underdog, the gray, or the filly. And there was always art inspired by the pagentry. After Grandpa passed away in 2010 navigating Derby Week felt hollow. But this year, things were different. I wasn't just another horse racin...