Dear Art Lover,

Finally, spring is in the air. I want to update you on what I've done so far during the first months of 2022.

Guided by my coach, Jet Manrho, I started to work on my project: 150 children's faces as "a tribute to lost childhood", which needs to be finished by July 2023. The start was a little shaky. I dived headlong into it without planning what I wanted to tell or show. Below is a sample of my first attempt: the red background, which, when all 150 pieces are put together, will become a large portrait in itself.

However, this turned out to be not the best approach. The storytelling was missing, and the red was too present in the individual portraits. After some discussions with my coach, Jet Manrho, we came up with a concept taking the viewer on a journey: starting at the beginning of slavery towards today's modern slavery. In total, there will be 15 stories. We also added a twist; each story will consist of 9 small paintings (13x18 cm) and one big painting (46x55 cm) because faces alone do not show slavery or in what kind af situation the children were. They are just portraits.

Acryl on coton canvas panels (13x18 cm)

The new concept: I will tell the stories based on facts; the viewer decides if they feel committed/engaged to it or not.

Sneak peek of one of the stories: The Sea: Threat or Salvation?

As you have noticed, the right panel is still blank; it will tell the story of what happened during some gruesome journeys of the slave ships on the open sea. The other 14 stories will be set up in the same structure, so still, a long way to go.

In my next newsletter, I will let you know what I've created in my art studio related to my new series: I Am, a series based on the rights of the child.

Kind regards,

Andra Daans