As someone who has always been passionate about art, I never thought I would go 20 years without picking up a pencil. However, life has a way of taking us on unexpected journeys, and for me, it was a long period of time where I felt lost and uninspired

The painting that I created, a portrait of  Anastacia, holds significant value to me as it symbolizes my personal renaissance.

Capturing Beauty: The Process of Creating the Portrait

Anastacia is a young, smart, and beautiful woman who always managed to light up my life. One day, while taking a long walk with her at the beach and having my camera with me, I took a few pictures of her. But, her deep and interesting gaze captured my attention, and I knew I wanted to do more than just capture her in a photograph.

I made a portrait of her using pencils, a medium that I was familiar with from my teenage years. I set up a space in my home, got my materials, and started the sketch. The most challenging part was shading her braids and hair, but I found joy in working on her facial features to truly capture her essence.

The Ocean in Her Eyes: The Meaning Behind the Sketch

The meaning behind the portrait is captured in her eyes. If you look closely, you’ll see the ocean, the beach, and the reflection of the horizon. I wanted to impart my wish for her to always keep the ocean in her eyes, to dream big and never give up on her aspirations as a young woman of color. The sketch was completed in 2021 and it comes with a beautiful gold leaf frame, symbolizing its preciousness and value to both me and Anastacia.

The journey of creating this portrait was a long and challenging one, but the end result was a beautiful masterpiece that holds a special place in my heart. It represents my love for Anastacia, my personal growth, and my triumph over feeling lost and uninspired.

From Inspiration to Reality

Sketching this portrait took me two months of hard work, but it was a journey worth taking. The process brought me back to my roots, reignited my passion for art, and reminded me of the joy that creating brings. I am grateful for the opportunity to capture the essence of Anastacia through this portrait and to start a new chapter in my artistic journey.

Listen to the full story

If you’re interested in learning more about my journey and the story behind this portrait of Anastacia, I invite you to press play on the player below and listen to the full story. Hear about the challenges I faced, the process of creating the sketch, and the deeper meaning behind every stroke of the pencil.

Anastacia’s portrait is not just a piece of art, but a symbol of my personal journey and a celebration of the beauty of those around us. The process of creating the sketch, from the first stroke of the pencil to the final details, was a reminder of the joy and fulfillment that can be found in the creative process. I hope this portrait will inspire others to find their own creative voice and to never stop dreaming big. And for Anastacia, I hope that this portrait will serve as a reminder of the beauty and potential within her.