Coming into the studio I saw my painting against the wall. 

I had been working hard, capturing my niece, Keke, in paint.  But seeing the painting anew that morning, I saw someone else in the painting.  It was my sister Alice, Keke’s mother.  I had no idea Keke had so much of her mother in her.  It was a revelation to me.  This experience happens often when painting people.  People appear in the painting–parents, grandparents, siblings. 

The process invites them in.  It is exhilarating to see them and realize they are all  a part of us.