Love Long Distance

  When I was a junior in high school a good friend of mine, on whom I'd developed a significant crush, moved to Milwaukee, WI with her family. We kept in touch through years of writing letters, occasional visits, and a short stint in which she moved back to New Orleans for her first semester of college. Over that time my interest only grew -- and it became increasingly more mutual. Slowly our conversations turned to the possibility of one day being together, and she sent me a few pictures of herself in her college apartment. It was with those photos that it hit me that I didn't just love her for her creativity and compassion -- she was also stunningly beautiful.  At the time I was living in an apartment with my brother in Uptown New Orleans, exploring new mediums, especially watercolors, pen & ink, and both in combination. I created a portrait in this style of my favorite image from her letter, which I still love dearly. It hangs in front of my desk and I see it every day as I work