Susie Jackson 20 x 20″ oil on panel

This portrait of Susie Jackson came about as I was recently browsing my photographic archives, looking for a something to paint for the MOJA Exhbition, coming up at City Gallery. I stumbled upon some photographs I took in February 2010. At the time, I was working on a series of paintings called “Faces of Charleston.”  That day, I found myself in front of Mother Emanuel and noticed a now familiar face. A very beautiful, stately woman caught my eye as the congregants were leaving the service. I had taken some excellent photos of Susie Jackson, the eldest victim of the Emanuel nine, who were brutally murdered in 2015. It is a far better image of her than any I had seen in any of the tribute montages.

I can’t believe I only recently noticed these photos of Susie Jackson, among those I photographed that day. Very moved by what I discovered, I immediately set to work on this painting, which captures the late martyr in her Sunday best at age 82. She has a deep, majestic knowing in her continence that I tried to capture here. Needless to say, I had to paint through my tears, as I was working on this tribute portrait. She is wearing her double ram’s head (or “kissing rams”) hoop earrings, symbolizing protection and wisdom.

It was my only intention to create a wonderful, heartfelt tribute to her memory. As many of my followers will remember, I was the courtroom sketch artists for the federal trial of Dylann Roof, who received a death sentence at the trial. Most notable to me, was the deliberate act of forgiveness most of the survivors managed to express, in keeping with their Christian faith. Their dignity as they bravely described not only the crime, but also their memories of the victims, was indelibly sealed into my consciousness as I sketched every day during the trial.

My immediate plan is to share the painting in the MOJA Festival exhibition at City Gallery. I’m not sure what I ultimately want to do with the portrait. My hope is that it ends up as part of Susie Jackson’s memorial or with one of her survivors. My ardent prayer is that this painting edifies all who see it, and that it is received by the world with the heartfelt feelings of gratitude with which it was created.