For 30 years, Birmingham artist Steve Skipper could always depend on his big brother to critique his work.

This spring, as Steve worked on his latest painting of University of Alabama football standout Trent Richardson making a 57-yard run against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, there was no feedback. Don Skipper was gone. Don had passed about three or four months ago. He had cancer.

“He’s my only sibling and my mom and dad had already passed,’’ said Steve. “We were extremely close. This was the first time ever I’ve had to do anything like this without him.’’

Steve is known for his officially licensed, sports-themed oil paintings that depict major football moments

at schools such as Auburn University and the University of Alabama. He also does NFL and NASCAR paintings.

As Steve was about to finish a commissioned piece to commemorate Auburn’s national football championship, Don called to say he had cancer.

It wasn’t long after that that Don passed.

Steve recently talked about his brother as he revealed the Richardson painting at the opening of the new Butler's Grooming for Men inside of Saks Fifth Avenue at Birmingham's Summit, where Steve's paintings line the walls of the salon.

Steve got choked up as he remembered Don during the grand opening.

“He’s been my hero ever since I was born,’’ Steve said. “It’s just a huge adjustment, living without him and doing things without him.’’

On July 15, Steve will conduct another big reveal at Butler’s Grooming. This time it will be of the commissioned piece he did, depicting Auburn’s national championship win in 2011. The painting includes Cam Newton, Nick Farley, Kodi Burns and Coach Gene Chizik. Steve said Chizik will be at Butler’s Grooming on July 15 to help with the reveal.

For more information about Steve Skipper, go to www.anointedhomesart.com.

Note: The Trent Richardson painting is not for sale. It’s already been purchased for someone’s private collection. However, reproductions should be available later this month. All of Steve Skipper’s paintings at Butler’s Grooming for Men at Saks are for sale. The July 15 event at Butler’s Grooming will be part of a special event with the the creator behind the men’s skincare product line, Billy Jealousy.

Follow Chanda Temple on Twitter.

Go here to see a video of Steve Skipper talk about his work.