Meaning 'antiquity', I wanted this portrait to portray a sense of timelessness, yet also capture a somewhat haunting quality that I always find myself associating with the mid 1600's. I don't know what it is about the original photo [link] that makes me think of witch trials and persecution, but I couldn't get away from that while I was drawing it, and it's one of the reasons why I chose to do the aged border rather than keeping it clean. It's also why I chose to remove the nose ring that appears in the original photo. I didn't want to date this with modern culture or fashion. I wanted it to retain that Salem Witch Trial feel.

Either way, Tessa, this portrait is for you. For whatever reason I keep picturing it framed and hanging above a fireplace in 2176 with the lights turned down low and little kids telling ghost stories, where every now and again they'll steal glances at the eerie portrait of their great grandmother, that 'classic beauty' from a distant past. And this one... you won't have to rely on the photo. The original is yours. From me to you.

Charcoal on 90 lb paper.
16" x 20"
Model: Tessa Beebe

Original Sold: Victoria, BC Canada