**I was commissioned to do a series of painted portraits of New Zealand's political leaders for an online auction, sort of like an unofficial art based election. I asked a bunch of them to sign their portraits.**

Chloe and Marama were lovely, as was Quelay and Winstons staff were very helpful in getting his signature. I'd painted some easter eggs in the background like James Cameron in the Greens portrait and a good luck Money Cat in Quelays given TOP's economic focus and history with cats.

I waited for about an hour at one of David Seymour's public meetings then showed him his portrait. A look of disgust came over his face almost immediately and he said "why would you paint Ayn Rand in the background? I don't like Ayn Rand!". I explained ChatGPT had incorrectly told me he was a fan of the Russian writer and philosopher and that I could change it easily enough if he wanted. He was still unhappy and said I'd made him look too sad in the portrait also : (

He said "look, I'll still sign it" but instead of just signing his name as requested he wrote in thick black marker across the painting "not quite me but nice art – D Seymour". I'd spent around 15 hours on his portrait so was a bit taken aback by the criticism being scrawled across the portrait when I just asked for a signature.

He must have felt a bit bad as when I was walking out the door he called out "great painting though... what did you use to make it?". I was over the interaction so just said "paint and stuff" and walked out.

I guess I should have done my research better but it might make the painting more interesting to have his unsolicited art criticism written across it.

I painted a portrait of David Seymour and he HATED it