My Mama’s Smile
Lucie L.
-
Art is a breath of fresh air. Even after I blemish a piece of work by accident, once I have spent quite a while focusing, I just take a deep breath. Maybe I take a break, and come back fresh the next morning. Sometimes it feels as though I continuously reach for a tantalizing fruit, the perfect product which no one can ever fully grasp. I have learned the importance of accepting a flexible process. When I gather my materials to set up my workspace, I find myself rushing, because I am eager to get started. Once I am in the zone, I step into my own space, and when I exit the tunnel and return to the present, I am sometimes surprised by what I have created. Upon reflection, I was always drawn to the idea of art, but I had difficulty executing the image I envisioned in my mind; there was a clear gap between the grand picture I imagined in my head compared to the page in front of me. I was more comfortable working on calligraphy, lettering, or graphic design than any illustration. On a typical Saturday evening at home, my family would have portrait time. We practiced contour drawings of the person sitting across the table, then gleefully laughed together when the result emerged. I felt challenged by proportions and likenesses, and unconsciously put drawing portraits on pause for a few years, though it remained in the periphery of my thoughts.
In quarantine, I rediscovered my fascination for portraiture. I found solace in the afternoons and evenings, sketching or painting. Perhaps I was fascinated by the depiction of raw or concealed emotions on someone's face. I wonder, What are they thinking? Does it matter more what they are thinking, or what I perceive them to be thinking about? What did the artist think about? As this cycle of questions continued, I would resolve that I could only ever know what I thought the subject of the portrait was thinking. Now, I find myself on the other side, as the artist. Sitting down, making observations and squinting for hours is how I look forward to spending my weekends; drawing is an activity that never fails to spark joy.I immerse myself in the study of portraiture because I am intrigued by the depiction of raw or concealed emotions that manifest on our faces. I draw a portrait for and of my mom each year. "My Mama’s Smile" illuminates my mama’s persona, with high contrast and a smile of wisdom. The blank background alludes to the everyday feeling of delight. Catharsis extends beyond the performing arts—sometimes the most precious moments are best captured in a bold illustration, an imprint in memory.
-
I wish to harness the world of imagination and curiosity to bridge inklings from my mind to real expression. Creative work is mediation. Being an artist requires mindfulness, an attentive and calm state. I believe creativity holds immense power to inspire empathy through learning and self discovery.
