Commissioned by Jon Metcalfe of Aston Martin Washington DC, Halo is a five-by-six-foot photorealistic oil painting of an Aston Martin Formula One race car. Rather than depicting the car from a familiar side profile, the composition presents a dramatic perspective rarely seen, inviting viewers to pause before recognizing exactly what they are looking at.
 

The commission began in early 2023 with the construction of the painting itself. J hand-stretched the six-by-five-foot linen canvas before applying the first brushstroke. Painting began on July 13, 2023, and because of the size of the canvas, he worked with it turned sideways throughout the entire process. This made it much easier to reach every part of the painting while maintaining control over the details and avoiding contact with freshly painted areas.
 

The title, Halo, refers to the titanium cockpit protection system introduced in Formula One to improve driver safety. Initially met with skepticism, the Halo has since proven to be one of the most important safety innovations in the sport, saving the lives of numerous drivers while becoming an iconic element of every modern Formula One car.
 

After nearly four months of work, the painting was completed on October 31, 2023, and installed on November 27, 2023, on the second floor of the Aston Martin Washington DC dealership in Ashburn, Virginia, where it remains on permanent display.
 

Installed in Aston Martin Washington DC's Ashburn showroom, Halo stands as a permanent celebration of engineering, speed, craftsmanship, and the shared pursuit of excellence between artist and machine.