An ongoing series of pencil drawings depicting members in my family.

“Mom (Child Portrait) I” (graphite, 7 x 9.5 in, 2010)

“Mom (Child Portrait) II” (graphite, 5 x 7.5 in, 2011)

“Dinner” (graphite, 11.5 x 11.5 in, 2010)

“Tricycling” (graphite, 10 x 12 in, 2011)

“Mom (Child Portrait) III” (graphite, 9 x 11.5 in, 2018)

“Portrait of David” (graphite, 12 x 10.5 in, 2018)

“Adrift” (graphite, 10.5 x 9 in, 2010)

“Crying” (graphite, 8.5 x 12 in, 2017)

“Girl/Bird” (graphite, 5.25 x 10 in, 2012)

“Edna Ellen Hanninen” (graphite, 8 x 10 in, 2016)

“Evelyn Arriving (or Leaving)” (graphite, 8 x 10 in, 2023)

“Meryl” (graphite, 7 x 10.25 in, 2015)

Artist Statement

When viewing family photographs from previous generations, I am struck by how much they both reveal and hide about the family they are depicting. They document family members exactly as they appeared in a moment and, yet, only hint at their thoughts and feelings.  When I view photographs of my family, I find myself reaching to see more. I search for meaning in my family members’ body language and the environments they inhabit, trying to see into the hidden part of their lives.

My family photographs are small, most 3 by 3 inch squares, and damaged, many bent and ripped from old age. Using my imagination in addition to referencing these family photographs, I seek to create highly realistic pencil drawings that act as updated family photographs. In these drawings, I depict each family member in a detailed, emotionally rich scene, bringing light to their lives through sharing what they mean to me personally.

Ultimately, these drawings are part of a larger investigation of my family and how they have shaped me into the person I am today.