A moment in history was made into art for Oklahoma City Thunder fans to cherish forever.An Oklahoma artist recreated an iconic photo of celebration and resilience. It’s a story outlining how far Oklahoma City has come. After the Thunder celebrated their NBA championship, one photo – worth 1,000 words – left Oklahomans speechless. A photograph shows Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy up in front of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum during the celebratory parade. “This is more than basketball, more than Oklahoma. This is a historical moment for our country,” artist Kyle Trudelle said. >> Video Below: Fans reflect on city’s growth as Thunder parade passes OKC National Memorial and MuseumIt was symbolic of how far the state has come. “From 30 years ago until now, we’ve had that hope of that future. I see this as the moment of victory. This is now. The hope has been realized and has come to fruition,” Trudelle said. The viral moment was brought to life in a one-of-one painting that people can see from the street. “I reached out to Kyle. I had no idea who he was, just an incredibly talented painter, and I said, ‘Kyle, I’m Terry Gray. I live here. Can you paint me a piece?'” Terry Gray, who now owns the painting, said. >> Video Below: Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship win inspires heartfelt tributesGray, who is a Thunder fan, said he knew this was the piece to fill his home. Trudelle was just the person who could bring it to life. While most of his art takes a few hours, Trudelle said this was a monthlong project. “Shai is the most detailed thing. Then you have the OKC logo, and all of this is in focus, but then everything else starts to get thick, chunky, expressive, because I want the eye to be drawn to this victory moment in the center,” Trudelle said. The 6-foot-by-5-foot masterpiece was delivered to Gray and his family. “It has come out so much better than I ever expected,” Gray said. Trudelle said the motivation behind his creation is more than just a talent he discovered as a child. “I’m actually a child survivor of child trafficking,” Trudelle said. >> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelHis own story of survival was what helped drive him to create art. “In that process of healing and growing, coming from being a victim to growing somebody that’s a survivor of this thing that happened to me then thriving, art was a way to do that –to create images that moved people, changed people, caused people to think – see things differently,” Trudelle said. He said he hopes his art does just that – inspires and reminds Oklahomans of their strength, healing and growth. “I hope that this painting and just that moment that was captured is a historical moment for Oklahomans to really give us the ability to come together and be like this is us. This is who we are,” Trudelle said. Trudelle’s artwork is done live at local charity events, and pieces are auctioned off for charities. Check out more of his work here. Top Headlines Get the Facts: Who’s served in the House and the Senate the longest? OHP: At least 1 dead after crash on southwestern Oklahoma highway Oklahomans to decide on various local bond issues, races in October election Oklahoma teacher certificates reinstated amid new State Department of Education leadership OKC mall evacuated due to a bomb threat, police say

OKLAHOMA CITY —

A moment in history was made into art for Oklahoma City Thunder fans to cherish forever.

An Oklahoma artist recreated an iconic photo of celebration and resilience. It’s a story outlining how far Oklahoma City has come.

After the Thunder celebrated their NBA championship, one photo – worth 1,000 words – left Oklahomans speechless. A photograph shows Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander holding the Larry O’Brien Trophy up in front of the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum during the celebratory parade.

“This is more than basketball, more than Oklahoma. This is a historical moment for our country,” artist Kyle Trudelle said.

>> Video Below: Fans reflect on city’s growth as Thunder parade passes OKC National Memorial and Museum

It was symbolic of how far the state has come.

“From 30 years ago until now, we’ve had that hope of that future. I see this as the moment of victory. This is now. The hope has been realized and has come to fruition,” Trudelle said.

The viral moment was brought to life in a one-of-one painting that people can see from the street.

“I reached out to Kyle. I had no idea who he was, just an incredibly talented painter, and I said, ‘Kyle, I’m Terry Gray. I live here. Can you paint me a piece?'” Terry Gray, who now owns the painting, said.

>> Video Below: Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship win inspires heartfelt tributes

Gray, who is a Thunder fan, said he knew this was the piece to fill his home. Trudelle was just the person who could bring it to life.

While most of his art takes a few hours, Trudelle said this was a monthlong project.

“Shai is the most detailed thing. Then you have the OKC logo, and all of this is in focus, but then everything else starts to get thick, chunky, expressive, because I want the eye to be drawn to this victory moment in the center,” Trudelle said.

The 6-foot-by-5-foot masterpiece was delivered to Gray and his family.

“It has come out so much better than I ever expected,” Gray said.

Trudelle said the motivation behind his creation is more than just a talent he discovered as a child.

“I’m actually a child survivor of child trafficking,” Trudelle said.

>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel

His own story of survival was what helped drive him to create art.

“In that process of healing and growing, coming from being a victim to growing somebody that’s a survivor of this thing that happened to me then thriving, art was a way to do that –to create images that moved people, changed people, caused people to think – see things differently,” Trudelle said.

He said he hopes his art does just that – inspires and reminds Oklahomans of their strength, healing and growth.

“I hope that this painting and just that moment that was captured is a historical moment for Oklahomans to really give us the ability to come together and be like this is us. This is who we are,” Trudelle said.

Trudelle’s artwork is done live at local charity events, and pieces are auctioned off for charities. Check out more of his work here.

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