Go-Go #3, a bit skeptical

This grandmother seems more skeptical than the other two.  She was drawn in Denver also using the Sepia Conte pencil.

The Go-Go, South African Grandmother

This is my second version of the grandmother from Africa.  They do all the heavy lifting and are, therefore, dubbed the Go-Goes!  I can't figure how to make that plural!  Since there are so few men around and since a huge percentage of the population died from AIDS, all of the work is done by these courageous women who run the orphanage.  What a desperate situation!  Wonder how I would be in such a situation.

I did this one in Denver also but the drawing is a bit smaller.  Used a different color paper.  It is difficult to see next to the earlier post, but I think this lady seems more dubious.

African Grandmother #1

Last week in Denver, I attended a class with the wonderful instructor, Rick Brogan, at the Art Students League of Denver.  We worked on charcoal portraits, wonderful practice.  Loved working with charcoal. 

I learned a great deal from Rick.  He is generous and helpful and dedicated.  

This beautiful grandmother looks out over the market place, wondering how to provide.  My daughter and a friend of ours were in South Africa on a mission trip earlier this summer.  Their tales have ignited my curiosity about these brave women who have all the responsibility for the welfare of their villages.  What courage.