Amazing Face

Amazing Face, 2015, oil on panel, 67 x 76 inches

Erica was a neighbor of mine who was undergoing chemotherapy for a life-threatening bout ofLeukemia. This day she had been told the bone marrow transplant from her brother was going to save her life. While she had lost all her hair and every bit of what our culture considers clues of gender, she stands alive without a care from what others think. Sitting on the stairs as I was leaving, she was buddha like in the strong ray of light. I asked if I could photograph her. I believe she knew why. This is her amazing face.