News & Events

Tim addresses audience while wife Kimberly and Colson family look on.

Exclusive Chuck Colson
Portrait Unveiled

October 2006

Gala celebrating the 75th birthday of Chuck Colson featured the unveiling of American artist Timothy J. Chambers’ portrait of former President Nixon aide and Prison Fellowship founder.

Timothy Chambers unveiled his much-anticipated portrait of Chuck Colson in Lansdowne, Virginia at the world headquarters of Prison Fellowship. Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and former advisor to President Nixon, was moved by the portrait, stating that although he has previously resisted having a portrait done, he was very pleased with the result of Mr. Chambers’ portrait. The life-size painting departs from typical portrait compositions- the dark suit, desk, with a library setting- instead showing Colson outdoors reading without a jacket, relaxed yet distinguished. Many in attendance remarked how “warm and full of personality” the portrait is, saying that Mr. Chambers truly captured Mr. Colson, and appreciated his forgoing the “dark and serious” look common to corporate portraits for the colorful and approachable feel of Mr. Colson’s painting.

The unveiling set off the event celebrating Chuck Colson’s 75th birthday and Prison Fellowship’s 30th anniversary. Over 250 people attended the invitation-only dinner celebration to honor the service of Mr. Colson, whose Prison Fellowship ministry reaches out to more than 112 countries to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families in service to Jesus Christ with a desire to restore peace to our communities endangered by crime. Attendees included his wife Patty and their children and grandchildren, politicians such as former Attorney General and State Senator of Virginia Mark Earley, who is also the current President and CEO of Prison Fellowship, former professional football player Senator Jack Kemp, former Governor of Minnesota, the Honorable Albert H. Quie, 5 time Grammy award winning music artist, Steven Curtis Chapman, and video appearances from President Bush to Franklin Graham, among others.

Chambers is the first and only artist granted the honor of portraying Mr. Colson, who has refrained invitations previous. “Chuck has always resisted any attention to himself, seeking to direct attention to those he serves, and to Jesus Christ,” says Alan Terwilliger, Sr. Vice-President, Ministry Relations and Wilberforce Forum at Prison Fellowship. Terwilliger says “Tim Chambers is the most amazing artist I know that has the unique ability to capture the very personality of his subject and make them come alive. He has a God-given gift that is a rare find."

As Tim recalls, “Chuck was approachable from the start. Any fears or intimidation of this 'counselor to kings’ were immediately put to rest by his humble and kind demeanor. Far from his reputation as Nixon’s 'hatchet man,’ Chuck truly is a servant first and foremost, yet he is a man steeped in wisdom and knowledge. Our conversations during the sittings were candid and insightful, and each time I came away with a greater respect for the man and his vision, and personally inspired to examine my own life to see what I could offer to God in service.” Tim attributes this time spent with Mr. Colson to the vitality and success of the portrait.

The ministry of Prison Fellowship has left an impression on Tim as well, as he is seeking opportunities to lead painting workshops to those in prison. More information on Prison Fellowship can be found at www.prisonfellowship.org.

Chambers is known primarily for his portraits, and few others can execute an outdoor portrait as he can. Viewers often comment that the subjects in his portraits look “ready to walk right off the canvas.”

Everyone, including Chuck and Patty Colson, couldn’t agree more.