Laurencita

I have a Navajo foster sister with whom my other sisters and I try to have a weekly FaceTime chat. During one of these sisters' calls I noticed that the light hitting Lauren's face was extra beautiful, and I took a quick, stealthy screenshot. That became my photo reference for this portrait, which I did in a singe session as a class demo of a Venetian grisaille, alternating blues and oranges to build up the values. Lauren is one of the strongest women I know, and I feel like this portrait, in minimal brushstrokes, captures her strength, wisdom and grace.