Speed-painting artist Stephen Fishwick wows Hawthorn Mall audience

bhill@dailyherald.com

A large group of people abruptly stopped their Christmas shopping and gathered around the stage at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills Saturday as artist Stephen Fishwick speed-painted.

The Disney Gallery hosted the talented artist who danced happily around the stage while he painted Mickey Mouse, forgoing paint brushes and using only his fingers.

Not only did Fishwick complete the work of art in a little more than 20 minutes, but he painted it upside down, only revealing the finished product by spinning it right side up at the end of his performance.

Fishwick began his career as a professional artist drawing caricatures and illustrations.

His business experience includes nearly 20 years of producing artwork for some of the top brand names in corporate America, including Volkswagen, Petco, the San Diego Padres, Anheuser-Busch, Legoland, the San Antonio Spurs, Microsoft, Samsung, Coca-Cola, Honda and Jenny Craig.

These experiences led Fishwick to found Paint in Motion, his own brand of "speed painting." He hosted two "Art Attack" exhibitions Saturday at Hawthorn Mall.