Every now and then you run across someone you just can't help but notice.

For me, that was Jerry Bacik.

While recently looking at a list of newcomers to HubPages, I noticed an avatar of a very artistic rendition of a friendly-faced bearded gentleman. I clicked on his profile to find out more about him. Jerry's profile gives you a brief description of man you can't help but like and want to know more about. His passion for his art emanates from the page as you read it.

I was an instant fan.

I emailed Jerry to welcome him to HubPages and give him some hub pointers about labeling his photos so that Google could index them. Jerry was extremely grateful for the advice and that begin a friendship between Jerry and I.

During the course of these first emails, Jerry published a hub called "Unabashed Selfish Attempt at Self-Promotion". This hub contains a video of some of Jerry's work. It is a great video and shows the variety of types of artistic expressions he can create simply from a photograph.

I emailed Jerry that I'd love to have a portrait done of Kevin. For those who know me, you know that my son, Kevin died just before his 13th birthday. Kevin had known since birth that he was to inherit his father's fully-restored 1968 GT Mustang on his 16th birthday. The photos I sent Jerry were of Kevin's last school picture and a 1968 GT Fastback Mustang with racing stripes.

What you see below is the incredible masterpiece that Jerry created for me. I was shaking with excitement when I got Jerry's email and the attachment began to download. Tears streamed down my face as the portrait of my son stared back at me from my computer screen. I wish I could explain to you what I see and what I feel when I look at this portrait. Jerry not only captured a perfect rendition of my son, he captured Kevin's spirit. That playful full-of-life teenage boy just didn't shine through the school photo I had sent Jerry. Jerry never knew Kevin. But, somehow, through Jerry's remarkable talent and passion, he captured the essence of Kevin that still leaves me quite emotional.

I asked Jerry if he'd mind if I interviewed him. I want you to get to know Jerry Bacik. These are the questions I emailed Jerry and his responses.

• Where are you from originally?

I grew up in Detroit City, Motown. Back when Motown was big, my Father was a building inspector, and my mother was one of the many people who helped create color film for Kodak, (back in the 40s or 50s, before I was born) I lived in Utah for about 10 years, way after I graduated from college, where I studied to be a Catholic Priest, when that didn't pan out, I bummed the country for a year or so working Renaissance Festivals, that eventually landed me in Florida.

• Where are you located now?

I now live in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

• Have you always been involved in artistic projects? As a hobby? As a profession?

I've been an artist all my life, I was a sculptor in grade school, a published poet in High School, (mainly national anthologies, but published none the less). In college I found Theater, a place that I could use all my talents, I've been a writer, an actor, a designer, a scenic artist, a prop builder, producer, director, stage manager, puppeteer, and street performer. For 20 years I ate, breathed, and lived the stage, and for 15 of those years I made my living solely off my talents. It wasn't until I contemplated becoming a priest that I tapered off, after the Church decided that I might be a "financial liability" because of my weight and age, I worked Renaissance Festivals, did a one man show on the four writers of the Gospels which I authored, then, subbed in schools for awhile, and started working with the mentally handicapped, I did that for 8 years until I was just recently was laid off (Budget cut reduced funding for the handicapped, which resulted in staffing reductions, ahhhh the trickle down horror effect) which leads me to where I am today.

• Does the type of art you do have a name? Without revealing trade secrets, what can you tell us about your technique?

I call myself a digital artist, because I work in the digital medium I did take art classes in college with live models and paints and everything, and I learned a lot for my boss, mentor and friend, Thomas Aston who was a painter in his own right, and a great scenic artist. As for my technique, I have some 8 different graphic programs which I use and 2 computers on which I work. One's a tablet pc which allows me to draw right on the computer screen and one of my programs mimics the flow of paint perfectly. On any given project I will use 5 of those programs going back and forth until I get the end result that I want.

• From the samples I've seen you seem to focus on capturing people, but not with the purpose of getting to know the person as much as it is about identifying with their feelings

That comes form my acting, I approached a character by the emotions of an individual and it was only natural to try to do that with my painting.

• I realize that you are given photos from your clients to work from. How do you begin to put together the piece you create? What are you looking for?

Wow that's a hard one to explain, you sort of just play around with it in your head, then you rough it out on the computer and see what it looks like, some time you can work on something for hours, even days, then scrap the whole thing and start all over again, Even after you get it all done the person your doing it for might not like it.

• What are the rewards of doing this type of art?

I don't have the patience for oils to dry, so it's quick, and many of the programs have an undo button, so if you mess up, you can undo it. Try doing that with an oil painting.

• Do you have a brick and mortar shop where people can visit you? Or do you work strictly online?

Some of my videos have a Bacik Art store, alas this is but computer magic, there is site that allows you to put your name on buildings, billboard, road signs just about anything, I use it as a visual invitation to my art and to my website.

• How long have you been doing this?

I've been playing with computers since my old Atari days, but it wasn't until I got my first digital camera and my first real graphic program (PhotoImpressions3) that I started to create Art, I'd say for 8 or 9 years.

• I've seen your portrait of President Obama. What would be the ultimate project for you?

Actually, I did send a copy of the print to the White House, but never heard back from the man. I really don't have any lofty expectations or goals. Each piece I do is a challenge and a joy, there is an excitement, an almost euphoric high when you create something you're proud of, and so the only ultimate goal would be to make a living off of what I enjoy doing and think I'm good at.

• What would you like people to know most about your work? About you?

I've been a Artist all my days, and it is within this thin line between madness and inspiration that I gather my spirit, and my art, for without which, I could neither breath nor live, it is the spark which awakes my dawn, and the flickering light which lulls me to sleep, it is, dreams turned into reality, manifested in form and light, and line and shape, and shadows and color. It is emotions brought to life.

Below is a video Jerry has put together of some of his beautiful work that he created today just for you. Besides the portrait of Kevin, my favorite piece is of the man building birdhouses. Jerry skillfully created a perfect composite. Sit back and enjoy the song which fits this video so well.

I urge you to become a fan of Jerry Bacik, visit his hubs, and visit his website. Email him. Get to know him like I have. You'll be very glad you did. Please consider ordering a one of a kind portrait of someone you love. They make wonderful Christmas gifts.

Jerry can be reached at: jerrybacik@verizon.net