"The Origin of Drawing" (2025) Oil on canvas. 72"x60"
 
This painting takes inspiration from the old Academic/Greek stories of how drawing was invented: 
A young couple was about to be separated. The man was about to go off to war, so the woman outlined his shadow on the wall with charcoal in order to have his likeness to remember him by. Sadly, the man ends up dying in war.
 
I used this story to show a female figure as the creator/author/artist. It also represents having so much love for the real, that one creates drawings (fake/reproductions) in order to remember it. It's also inspired by my own love for my partner. 
 
I reference the original story with the profile outline behind the male figure's head. I then mean to show the female figure's devotion and love for the male figure/drawing with the multiple drawings taped and pinned against the wall. The cats at the bottom act as witnesses to the love.
 
This piece was exhibited at the 51st Regional Juried Lyndon House Exhibition in Athens, GA in 2026. 
 
On demand prints are available for this piece.