I don’t usually do political art, but this watercolor portrait showed up on my easel as I was working on World Watercolor Month. Later, you’ll see more of the images I’ve been putting together in a collection titled “Faces of Summer”, based loosely on various prompts for the challenge.
As I began painting this portrait, this young child started speaking to me, telling me of all the violence and hatred he’s seen this summer. I had no choice but to let him speak.

Regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum, I know we can agree that too many children have died as a result of violence. Please, can we do better?
Probably your best portrait yet among the ones I’ve seen. You can’t look into those eyes and not reflect on what kind of world our children are inheriting from current adult generations.
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Thank you. I hope those eyes do express the concerns children have today. I intentionally left them almost “unfinished” — making them as child-like as I could. This child was definitely speaking to me as I painted him.
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This is truly beautiful. I detect you developing your unique expressive style in watercolor.
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Thank you. Little by little I’m finding things that work for me with watercolor. I still have my share of frustrations, but I have a better understanding of what I like and don’t like, and at least some understanding of how to achieve certain effects. 🙂
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Brutal, I’m glad you let him speak.
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Thank you.
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Very nice use of watercolors, Judith. Unfortunately, children being the saddest situation, there’s just too much violence in this world. No matter the cliche– why can’t we all just get along. Peace.
Art
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Thank you. Yes, children are too often victims of violence. It’s very sad.
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This one stops me in my tracks, Judith. Both the artistic and political expressions are communicated beautifully. She speaks volumes.
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Thank you. That’s one of those art works that seemed to “just happen”. something that somehow came out on its own. I still get many comments about this watercolor portrait.
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