Family Portrait, 2026
By Carmen Boyd
Acrylic on canvas, 20” x 20”
Artist Statement
My paintings explore personal memories, relationships, and the people and experiences that have shaped me. Through these portraits, I wanted to capture meaningful moments and turn them into something that can be remembered and shared with others. Each painting represents a different person or memory, allowing me to explore how individuals, places, and experiences become part of our personal stories.
I chose to paint these moments because I enjoy creating artwork that has a personal connection rather than simply painting something for its appearance. The expressions, clothing, backgrounds, and details in each portrait help communicate the individuality of the subjects. I also wanted to preserve the feeling of each moment while interpreting the original images through my own artistic style. Although the paintings are based on recognizable people and settings, the visible brushstrokes and use of color give them a personal, handmade quality.
I created these paintings using acrylic paint on canvas. Acrylic allowed me to layer colors, build up details, and experiment with different textures throughout the portraits. Working on these pieces challenged me to pay attention to facial features, proportions, and the relationship between the subjects and their surroundings. Overall, this series reflects my interest in portraiture and the way art can preserve memories. I hope viewers can connect with the paintings by thinking about their own relationships, experiences, and the moments that hold meaning in their lives.