Presence
A person’s life story is contained in her body; time causes it to bend and stretch, like a tree after years in wind and weather. The way people inhabit space tells a lot about their life story. People whose bodies show the weathering of a life project a hidden beauty that I am drawn to. In a youth-oriented society, elders tend to blend into the background of their environment. Their unique stories are too often overlooked. I strive to shed light on the invisible.
I began this project with relatives and anonymous subjects. I then had the opportunity to photograph and paint the residents of a local retirement home.
The paintings are oil paint on canvas. I try to paint in a spare way that allows the personality and emotion to shine through.
