A Painted Hero...

My advanced illustration class was given an assignment to illustrate an image from Photographer, Joe McNally's book; Faces of Ground Zero: Portraits of the Heroes of September 11, 2001; in order to commemorate the rescue workers of 9/11. I was immediately drawn to Melissa Van Wijk. Her expression and appearance stood out amongst the others. The project was challenging because I needed to convey all of the emotions that she experienced during the rescue efforts. Check out the images below of Joe McNally's Original Photograph as well as my drawings and paintings throughout the process. My finished painting will be in the 'Young Artists on the Rise' show at the Mamaroneck Artist's Guild in Larchmont, New York on Thursday, January 6, 2011- Friday, January 21. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, January 13th from 5-7pm. Don't MIS It!

Photograph by Joe McNally

Melissa van Wijk

Choreographer and Red Cross Volunteer, Disaster Services

Van Wijk worked at aid areas that distributed food and offered showers and beds to workers. "The first day I was there 20 hours, then I took a nap and went back. That's what everybody did. It was chaotic. Everything that didn't fit into someone else's job fell to us."

Pencil Sketch

Underpainting

"An Angel Among Us"

Painted Acrylic Portrait!