Nude Palin painting came from 'a crush'

CHICAGO, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- A Chicago man who painted a nude portrait of Republican U.S. vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin says he finds the Alaska governor "bizarrely fascinating."

The Palin portrait by Bruce Elliott, 68, is hanging at the Old Town Ale House, described by The Chicago Tribune as a dive bar on the city's North Side frequented by comedians from the nearby Second City Theater.

Elliott told the newspaper he has a bit of a crush on the nominee.

"I've been following her religiously," he said. "I had never heard of her before, like everyone else. I find her bizarrely fascinating, even though I pretty much despise everything she stands for."

Elliott's wife, Tobin Mitchen, owns the Ale House and has added the nude to a collection of more than 200 celebrity portraits and other racy art. The artist told the Tribune he began by painting her smile and trademark glasses, later adding details including a gun, red high heels, polar bear rug and a frightened-looking moose.