My grandmother, die Lächelnde, "she who smiles".

 

Obviously a companion piece to Lachender, which is a portrait I did of my grandfather for my grandmother. When I received the news that she passed away in early March 2019 I was shaken. This was the way wanted to say goodbye.

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My grandmother left a mixed legacy, as many do. What I will remember, though, are the things I loved her for. Her smile, which I named the piece for. Her poetry, some of which features on this site from when I was illustrating some of them. The three dozen red lipsticks she kept around the house. The nickname she called me by.

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I took a while to upload this because these last few weeks have been rough. But I think it's important that the painting be there for everyone who wants to see it, especially for those who are still grieving and need to see it.

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My grandmother always favoured muted, mature colours — browns, beiges, whites. I wanted to paint her the way I had always seen her — colourful, bright, who could shape words to spark emotions like few others. That's how I hope she is remembered.

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This is my goodbye, my last gift.