“From 1993 onwards, I smoked a cigar before every home game. It became such a relaxing thing… it’s the most relaxing thing.” — Michael Jordan on his pre-game cigar ritual.
This quote from one of the most iconic athletes in history — someone whose career is defined by precision, ritual and performance — underscores the emotional and almost meditative space cigars can occupy for connoisseurs. It’s a testament to smoking as part of the psyche of performance, celebration, and personal ritual.
Art Write-Up — Blanton’s Bourbon Whiskey and Fuente Opus X Cigar Painting
By Michael John Valentine — an immersive declaration of indulgence, craftsmanship, and visual poetry.
In the world of fine art, some works transcend mere decoration to become atmospheric experiences — evoking aroma, texture, and feeling without a single sensory cue outside of sight. Blanton’s Bourbon Whiskey and Fuente Opus X Cigar Painting by Michael John Valentine belongs to this rarefied category.
This piece is far more than still life; it is a visual ode to two symbols of masculine refinement and ritualistic pleasure: the amber glow of Blanton’s Bourbon and the rich, storied band of an Arturo Fuente Opus X cigar. Here, Valentine does not simply paint objects — he orchestrates an encounter between spirit and smoke, layering color and texture in a way that mirrors the layered complexity of the whiskey’s nose and the cigar’s rich, nuanced profile.
The strength of this artwork lies in its ability to fuse symbol and substance. The gleaming highlights on a bourbon bottle suggest warmth and depth — the very amber burn of an aged spirit — while the curling, abstracted forms that surround or accompany it echo the voluminous smoke of a prized cigar. In the deft application of acrylic over canvas, Valentine captures not just form, but mood: that lingering stillness of twilight hours, of quiet cubicles in private studies, of conversations held deep into the night.
Valentine’s technique — built through overpainting, deliberate brushwork, and final glazing — creates a surface that invites intimate engagement. From afar, the composition resolves into recognizable icons of indulgence; up close, it dissolves into a layered choreography of pigment and texture that hints at the ephemeral qualities of smoke and spirit. Each piece in this series, including this painting, is original — whether it is sold as a limited signed canvas or presented as a premium matted print — and comes complete with a Certificate of Authenticity, underlining its value not just as decor but as collectible art.
The Narrative of Ritual and Refinement
Cigar smoking and bourbon sipping both carry cultural narratives of bespoke craftsmanship: tobacco aged in private cellars, barrels hand-selected by master coopers, labels that signify heritage and scarcity. Valentine’s art does not render these elements literally — instead, it abstracts them, distilling their essence into shapes and tones that feel as warm as the glow of a bourbon sunset and as textured as a cedar-lined humidor.
Unlike typical still life, which often sits still and quiet, Valentine’s compositions are kinetic. They feel alive: the amber hues seem to shimmer in the imagined light, while the smoky shapes breathe and shift across the canvas. This is art that does not merely show objects; it animates them. It is as if the bourbon’s warmth and the cigar’s smoke swirl together, captured mid-dance.
Craftsmanship — A Dialogue Between Medium and Meaning
Valentine’s preference for acrylics — a medium known for its immediacy and vibrancy — allows him to express brisk tonal shifts and layered depth that traditional oils might resist. The glossy protectant finish applied to the canvas emphasizes vibrancy and longevity, ensuring that the profound warmth of these themes endures over time.
The painting arrives unstretched in a protective sleeve and tube, a choice that conveys intentionality: the piece is meant to be physically engaged with — taken to a framer, hung and experienced. This shipment method not only preserves the work but also invites the buyer to begin a personal journey of curation.
Collection Context — More Than One Painting, a Whole World
This work sits within Valentine’s broader Cigars & Bourbon collection — a curated suite of pieces that explore the interplay between premium spirits and fine cigars through abstract expressionism and contemporary technique. Each painting, print, or decal within this collection shares a lineage of crafted form and thematic intent: to celebrate the slow pleasures of life and the tactile beauty of shared ritual.
Whether displayed within a private lounge, a home bar, or a curated office space, Valentine’s cigar and bourbon art speaks to a lifestyle that values the moment — that intentional pause for reflection, camaraderie, or celebration. These works stand as visual landmarks within personal spaces, much like a rare bottle on a shelf or a box of prized cigars in a humidor: objects that invite appreciation, not just observation.
Why This Work Resonates
• Cultural Resonance: The pairing of bourbon and cigars is deeply rooted in social and celebratory traditions — the artwork honors this ritual without romanticizing it.
• Artistic Intent: Valentine’s decades of experience — from early study at an art institute to a fine arts degree — imbue this work with a mature and confident visual language that resonates with collectors.
• Visual Ambition: The piece marries abstraction with recognizable passion points, urging the viewer to look deeper and draw their own narrative threads.
• Collector Appeal: With multiple size formats and presentation options, from decals and prints to signed canvases, the work appeals not just to decoration but to curated collection building.
The Exhibition Canvas comes in 3 sizes and goes through several steps that include overpainting with acrylics, signing with acrylics on the front and a final glazing to protect the canvas before being rolled in a sealed tube then a box ( shipping is free in the USA )
The Matted Prints come in 3 sizes and are shipped in a box. ( shipping and handling is free in the US)
The Glossy Poster Print measures 16 x 24 and arrives in a sealed tube that is placed in a box. ( shipping is free in the US )
The 4 Inch Round Peel And Stick Decal is perfect for many applications beyond cars and comes in a sealed envelope ( shipped for free )
