Gratitude, 14″ x 18″ oil on linen canvas, framed by the artist.

I think trying to capture an emotional state in the painted surface, such as gratefulness, is one of the greatest challenges for an artist. In this case, Jimmy, the subject of this portrait, completely embodies gratefulness. He has been through the ringer; he’s been around and seen it all. He has overcome much and finally come to realize that gratefulness is the source of true joy and meaning. He has discovered grace. He now lives in humility and possesses a gentle strength of acceptance. The gesture in the pose also suggests that we are stronger together, that by helping each other, we are all made better.