Morivivi (Portrait of Sam)

This is my portrait of Sam Woodfin, a fellow artist and friend. For this portrait, I chose to blend both of our styles together - the high chroma blues and reds of Sam's palette with my love for botanical pattern. The "morivivi" of the title refers to a plant from Puerto Rico that closes up whenever it's touched, and a few moments later opens up again. Directly translated, the word means "I died, and I lived." I chose it not only because it refers to an element of his personality - sensitivity - but also because he and I both have that in common. We have both gone through experiences that have wounded us, yet we are resilient. We have both gone through a process of rebirth.