The negotiations were all for a good cause as Lori Medlin, CEO and president of the Halifax County Convention and Visitor's Bureau, the highest bidder, will commission Hill to do a mural for the visitors center and the person who ultimately got ownership of the painting will make a donation to the Halifax County Arts Council.

This was the stage in which the 2014 Canvas Halifax, a fundraiser for the arts council, was played out in Weldon this evening as Hill's homage to Halifax County farming fetched $2,000. This was the third Canvas Halifax event sponsored by the arts council when the first one was held in 2010. Jenna Fromal was the first mystery artist who honored the story of Roanoke Rapids founder Archie Chaloner.

The identity of the artist and the subject of his work had been a secret for the past several months, but as arts council Chair Carol Moseley began the unveiling, it became clear Hill was the artist chosen to do this year's work for the fundraiser as she spoke of the artist's work in watercolors and oils, his numerous awards and his murals.

A closeup of the painting.

Hill, who is a maintenance director for the housing authority, said the painting paid tribute to farming of the late 60s. “There wasn't much high-tech equipment. People worked hard but they were happy.”

Hill said to be chosen twice as the mystery artist for Canvas Halifax was an honor. “It's a great way to support the arts council. It's a good feeling to have it be successful for the bidding.”

Moseley was pleased with the finished work. “It's just beautiful. It's just the way farming was.”

Medlin's original intention was to have the painting on display at the visitor's center on Premier Boulevard. “Farming is what started the progress in Halifax County. We don't have one of his paintings at the visitor's center. We wanted something to show pride in the history of Halifax County and how we're looking forward to the future.”

After the negotiations, however, Hill will be commissioned to do another original work for the visitor's center and the private citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, will get the painting for her home and give the arts council a donation of an undisclosed sum. “I just absolutely love his work,” she said. “He's the essence of Halifax County.”