Michigan Friends Finish Late Artist's Last Painting

ROYAL OAK, MI — One more piece exists in a late local artist's honor, thanks to the work of her friends.

A group of 11 artists from the Atelier Art Studio in Royal Oak worked — usually two painters at a time — to honor their late friend Connie McEwan by completing her final painting. McEwan, wheelchair-bound for many years, died of cancer in April.

“Connie was a vivacious and extraordinary person," said Todd Burroughs, Atelier Studio founder and artist. "She was never defined by being in a wheelchair or later, by cancer. Connie’s paintings took her to a different place, allowing her to push aside her pain for the moment. She loved capturing the texture, the complexity of painting animals."

McEwan's last painting, titled “Love Story,” is a detailed oil painting of two hippos nuzzling. An animal lover, McEwan captured the gentle emotional bond between the two strong creatures, her friends said.

As they painted on her canvas, the Atelier artist group recounted memories of their friend and even began calling the animals “Connie” and “Ian” after her and her husband.

"Having her artist friends complete Connie’s final painting is our way of thanking this extraordinary and inspirational person for being in our lives,” Burroughs said.

The 3-by-6-foot painting was gifted to the McEwan family, of Birmingham, after it was finished.