Goldie | A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity
Some of the most meaningful portraits in A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity begin with an unexpected connection.
I met Goldie’s grandmother, Tish, through our mutual friend, artist Peter Maier, a former General Motors designer who worked alongside my father, watercolor artist and retired GM designer Terry Henline. After Tish moved to Austin, Texas, we became friends—and soon discovered another remarkable connection: my husband had been mentoring her son in his business.
Tish has become a wonderful supporter of my art and is also connected to the work of artist Woodrow Blagg. Painting her granddaughters for my A Hundred Faces portrait project made this connection feel especially full circle.
With her blonde hair, bright eyes, and joyful expression, Goldie was irresistible to paint. In this original acrylic portrait, I wanted to capture her openness and personality through expressive brushwork, unexpected color, and the loose, contemporary style that has become central to my portrait work.
Another little face, another family story, and another reminder of just how small the world can be.
Original acrylic portrait on 8 x 8-inch gesso board by Austin artist Kara Manza. Part of A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity, a collection of 100 contemporary painted portraits.