Figures
The model for this painting is Sojourner Zenobia, a radiant woman who teaches guided meditation and mindfulness classes. Whenever I draw or paint her, I can see her aura as it radiates energy all around her. She has a calm demeanor, and statuesque physique. When I asked her to model for me, I was inspired by Byzantine-Era paintings of the saints and the Holy Trinity. When I was raised Catholic, I was surrounded by iconic images when I went to church. However, they were all white and euro-centric. My goal in this painting was to address the lack of representation of people of color in sacred imagery. I asked my model to pray because I felt all of the racial tension that resulted from police brutality in the US. Her eyes are closed, and her face is bathed in light. Her hands are illuminated by warm tones and she is praying for peace and justice.