kindred

I find an old photo of an ancestor in a drawer and see one moment in a lifetime. It describes clothing, an environment and an expression. The image contains many specific visual details but there is so much information left out. So much mystery that remains untold. What was their life like? What happened the moment after the photo was taken? What were they thinking at this moment? The mystery is what grabs my attention.

Using oil paint and graphite I depict my interpretation of these still images, but remain open to the emotion that is suggested. The rendering is simple. I try to capture the essence. As I draw and paint, I begin to feel a connection to the person as the painting or drawing develops.