Woman with Weathered Wrinkles

I made this painting based on a photograph taken by a friend while visiting Vietnam several years ago. When the friend showed me her photograph back then, I was in awe and immediately asked her to send me the photo so I could paint it. It took me close to 5 years to get to it! I had so much fun trying to represent her incredibly wrinkled face, which made me wonder about this woman’s life and the physical hardship she must have endured. Moreover, her eyes had so much expression and emotion. I found them completely compelling. I recently gave the painting to the friend who had taken the photograph, and she was very appreciative of the effort I put into making the painting. Fact is, I wanted to thank her for giving me such an incredible subject matter. It was a complete labour of love to make this painting!