"For Jesse" (2009)

Pencil and paper.
This was the first major portrait I did. I had just finished the art class that forever changed my future. It was a community portrait drawing class. I was the only person in the class under 50 years old. We just came in once a week and drew faces. I was taught essentially nothing, but I did learn that I had a gift. I thought I was average, but all my friends in the class told me I should consider pursuing art. It was one of those things I had never even allowed myself to dream about. But with their encouragement, I began to dream and those dreams gave me the courage to try art school. This portrait was done for a dear friend who loved the Joker from the Dark Night. I had just recognized my eye for portraits and was still experimenting with my abilities.