02/01/2026
Back in the studio and the layers keep building. Blessed Hands is deep in the creative process and this piece is evolving with every cut, every fiber, every stitch.
This work is being prepared for exhibition in the coming months, and the story behind it runs deep. You are watching identity, history, and legacy take form in real time.
Notice the garments and color story. Purple and blue. These tones have long been associated with knowledge, dignity, scholarship, and leadership. Royal hues. Intellectual presence. Cultural refinement.
He is already three feet tall, and the full piece will stand close to five feet when complete. Believe it or not, he was the easiest part. The background is where the complexity lives, layered quilting, intricate detail, movement, and depth. Another gateway inspired work for me. My goal is to keep him strong and clear, while the detailed background makes him shine even more.
The FIRST person who correctly guesses who this piece represents will receive the very FIRST signed print from the limited edition collection once the work is accepted. My plan is to do a few more pics of the background once I start but not both together because the complete real must occur during the exhibition. Btw, we have already had a couple people very close with their guesses.
New hint.
Think of a civilization known for centers of learning, advanced science, architecture, and art during a time when much of Europe was still finding its way. Think North Africa meeting Iberia. Think scholars, explorers, and influence that reached courts, universities, and even Shakespeare’s stage.
Drop your guesses below and follow the journey. This story is bigger than a portrait.
