A few years ago, I started painting my neighborhood. Well, the people in my neighborhood. Extending from my house to the shops up the street and down to the downtown corridor, anyone was fair game. If you happened to be standing on the corner looking particularly interesting, there was a good chance I was going to ask to snap your photo and paint you!
I’ve continued to paint the locals. This year, focusing on a local coffee shop and their clientele. But the same rules apply, if you happen to be sipping your coffee and catch my eye, you might just get painted.
This way of painting has introduced me to so many people in our city. Kids, moms, entrepreneurs, first responders, volunteers, and pastors. It’s expanded my heart and my love for this area. But it’s also done something else. It’s included you!
I exhibited some of my portraits at a local artisan event downtown a few weekends ago. For the first time, I mainly included paintings of locals. The number one comment I heard was, ‘Hey, I know that girl/guy/person/mailman!’ There’s real beauty in connection. Even if it’s between a person on the canvas and the one outside of the canvas.
How lovely to be seen and recognized and known!
