She was just weeks away from receiving her bachelor's degree from Morgan University. Gennie Shird (1992-2013), was bright-eyed, beautiful, glamorous, outgoing,filled with joy in life, a real people person. She had even studied abroad a year.

##MGVM #artactivism #portraits #gunvictims

What sends needles through my heart is that Carter Scott is not the youngest Marcher I have painted.

#MGVM #portraits #gunvictims

"A little child will lead them". How fitting that this small child becomes the first Marcher for the project of a lifetime, a crusade to portray forgotten and ignored gun victims and gift them to loved ones as a tool to transform suffering.

vilonah.life

#gunvictims #artactivist #MGVM

It was James Smith the Third third birthday. That morning his mother took him to the barbers for his first big boy haircut. As they waited, two shooters barged in, guns blasting. Despite Mrs. Smith's attempt to shield him, James was fatally struck. He never got his haircut.

#gunvictims #MGVM

Portrait of three year old James Smith the Third (1994-1997). Oil on canvas 9X12 inches, painted April 14-15, 2013. James sits on a barber chair waiting for his birthday haircut. He gazes to the side, a smile of anticipation on his face. A lion cub and a lamb are snuggled on his lap.

It is now noon, Eastern Standard Time, United States. 12 years ago today I began a 15 hour straight painting stretch on this portrait. April 14-15, Bodhisattva Brushes of Fury was born. The Million Gun Victims March began.

vilomah.life

#art #activism #gunvictims #compassion