Worn Pride (2022) Tablo Ariadna Shmidt (AriS) tarafından

I didn’t paint him to look perfect. I painted him to feel real.

From the beginning, I didn’t just see a face — I felt a strong presence. A man who has lived through hard times and carries that weight with quiet strength. That’s what I wanted to show.

His face came together slowly. I didn’t want it to look soft or angry — just honest. His eyes feel deep, like they’ve seen a lot. His skin tells stories without words. Stories passed down through generations, through touch, through memory.

When I painted his skin, I used warm, earthy tones — like soil after rain. I didn’t smooth everything. I wanted the roughness to stay. Because life isn’t smooth either. He’s been through things, and it shows. That’s his strength.

His headwrap meant a lot to me. It’s not just fabric — it’s a symbol. Like a crown made of heritage and history. I painted each fold carefully, like it was holding pieces of who he is.

His mouth is closed tight. Not in anger — in control. I know that feeling. Holding back, because the world isn’t always ready to hear us. But his eyes… they speak. They burn with everything he doesn’t say.

I left the background empty. He didn’t need anything extra. Just him — fully present. Fully true.

This painting is about quiet pride. About strength that doesn’t need to shout. The kind of strength women know well — the kind that holds everything together.

He’s not me. But while painting him, I found parts of myself. The quiet weight I carry. The pride I wear. Even when the world doesn’t see it.

İlgili temalar

Worn PrideManPortraitWatercolorAriadna Shmidt