Siana — A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity

Some people enter your life for a particular reason and quietly become part of your family. Siana is one of those people.

Siana came into our lives as my granddaughter Thea’s nanny, but it didn’t take long for her to become so much more. With her patience, kindness and gentle presence, she has been a little like our own Mary Poppins—bringing a sense of warmth and joy to the everyday moments she shares with Thea.

When I chose Siana for A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity, I wanted this small portrait to capture something beyond her likeness. I wanted to paint the warmth and beautiful spirit we have come to know so well.

Working in acrylic on an intimate 8 × 8-inch gesso board, I used expressive, visible brushstrokes and warm color to keep the portrait fresh and alive. Like every face in this series, Siana’s portrait is not simply about what she looks like. It is about the person and the story behind the face.

As an Austin portrait artist, one of the things I love most about this project is the opportunity to paint people whose lives have intersected with mine in completely different ways—family, friends, acquaintances and people who have simply left an impression.

Siana certainly has.

Siana | Portrait #4

A Hundred Faces: Brushstrokes of Humanity

8 × 8 inches

Acrylic on gesso board

Original portrait by Kara Manza