Two Sisters This painting is part of my lifelong inquiry into the emotional and relational power of visual language. For me, making art is not simply an act of self-expression—it’s a form of listening, of holding space, of quietly offering new ways of seeing and being. In this portrait of two young sisters, modeled after Malgorzata Mirga-Tas’s fabric work (itself a reinterpretation of a Bouguereau painting), I’m participating in a lineage of artistic dialogue. I’m drawn to the way images can carry memory, presence, and care—how they can reveal deep feeling without words, and offer companionship in silent understanding. In this sense, I see my painting not as a finished object, but as a living moment—an invitation to slow down, reflect, and feel into our shared humanity. My painting arises from a desire to cultivate visual languages that support compassion, egalitarianism, and collective well-being. I believe deeply in the ability of art to create relational ground—places of mutual care and attention where power can be reimagined through tenderness, and resilience can be grown in the soil of connection. I also hope this work can gently open space for conversations about the systems—social, cultural, and political—that normalize violence and allow harm, including gun violence, to continue with devastating ease. Much like the quiet, nourishing atmosphere of an open studio, I see this painting as a gesture toward solidarity in the face of oppression and disconnection. My art practice has always been deeply personal, but I am learning that its depth can also serve as a bridge—inviting others not into my experience, but into their own capacity to feel, relate, and be moved. I want my work to be a reminder that beauty and intimacy, when rooted in relationship, are vital forms of resistance. Kelsey Rice Portland Community Member