99 Faces

99 Faces: An Art Making Adventure
I began this project with a determined goal: I would draw ninety-nine faces. I figured it would help me focus, build a body of work, and allow me to grow as an artist. All of that turned out to be true, but something else happened—something unexpected.
After scouring the internet for thirty reference photos of beautiful strangers, a friend asked me to draw her. It was startling how different I felt. I was more vulnerable, nervous, and curious. That one request opened me up and connected me in ways I still struggle to put into words. It allowed me to invite others to share their faces with me, turning a solo practice into a shared experience.
What this adventure taught me:
Deepen your self-reliance: Trust the marks you make.
Choose where you go: You have the agency to change your path mid-stream.
Invite people along: Creativity is better when it's shared.
Welcome surprise: The best part of the work is the part you didn't plan.
Art has the power to heal and connect us. 99 Faces taught me that when we feel like there is no possibility, we can create it.
We can learn to choose better.