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Sabis β€” My Hero

Published: 2008-04-21 17:01:11 +0000 UTC; Views: 5858; Favourites: 53; Downloads: 0
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Description whew! Some pressure involved but I got it done! This is my submission for the Portrait Pencil Art heroes contest. Even if I could have managed to submitt two drawings, I would never have. This is my one and only hero. Leona Hillman, aged 78, mother of 5 natural children, and 35 foster children during those years. And then came me. My beautiful grandmother is less a grandmother then she is a mother to me. She is all that I shall ever strive to be, and in these declining years, while it pains me to watch that woman slip away, set firmly in my mind are her words. She took no bull, she handed none out. She taught me lessons of compassion, empathy, respect honesty, insight and how to look to myself for the strength I needed to grow into a 'good person'. I only hope that I've done her proud. She is my best friend, my mother and my hero. The wisest woman I have ever met, and also one that never fails to make me smile or laugh. (She's a hoot too!)
My humble pencil can hardly do her justice, as I struggled to ensure that her essence was captured truly, and had to put the pad away when I became emotional. Most of all, when life gets rough and the path seems filled with obsticles, with a few words she can set me straight again. Her wisdom sets aside the clutter and reminds me of what is important in life. Love and Happiness. This is my hero.

The progression for this piece can be found here: My Hero-Progression
This piece featured in the News by ~Keijunlilja


A little history....
Years and years back, I attempted a portrait of my grandmother and grandfather. I drew both, but sadly poor grampa came out looking way too female. (I should try it again, really) I was having issues at that time with drawing masculine figures.
So I settled for drawing Gramma. Looking at it now, it is a rather childish attempt, but she always said, if only she were as beautiful as I thought she was. She proudly displays my effort in a frame on her side table in her living room. I am touched she shows such love and pride, but I am also somewhat embarrassed when she shows it off. I wish it were as good as she feels it is!

Fast forward ten years, and hosts a heroes contest and most forward in my mind is my Gramma, who is ever and always my grandmother. This is my tribute to my grandmother, the strongest, warmest and most beautiful woman I know. Maybe...she'll put that other one away and show this one off! *hopes!*

I love you Gramma.
Related content
Comments: 48

AngelArt95 [2009-04-25 02:44:51 +0000 UTC]

you amaze me drawing after drawing. Not to mention how touching and sincere your summary is. Your grandmother reminds me much of my mother.

The texture is amazing, and i would swear that all your drawings are balck and white photos. People are getting into all this digital art, but i think a pencil makes the most beautiful art there is, and you are a great example. Your talents are amazing, and i wish that one day i can only compare to yours. So please keep drawing and continue to post art on here for us to see.

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Sabis In reply to AngelArt95 [2009-04-25 17:43:03 +0000 UTC]

Can I quote you for this comment? I am just building my own personal site and would love to include your words. My personal love affair with pencil exactly echos what you have said here.

Many thanks for your kind words!

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AngelArt95 In reply to Sabis [2009-04-27 01:10:17 +0000 UTC]

of course i wouldn't mind if you quote my comment, but i want to see this site of yours. and you are very welcome

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Sabis In reply to AngelArt95 [2009-05-01 17:02:18 +0000 UTC]

Well... I am not quite finished it yet but you're welcome to browse what is there

[link]

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OWENSANGEL [2009-04-09 04:43:15 +0000 UTC]

A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO THE ONE WHO RAISED YOU...BROVO! YOU WILL HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL PICTURE FOREVER!

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Sabis In reply to OWENSANGEL [2009-04-13 10:14:33 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

People draw celebrities they admire all the time. I rarely do... Gram is my celebrity. I've admired her my entire life.

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OWENSANGEL In reply to Sabis [2009-04-15 04:17:35 +0000 UTC]

YOU KNOW A REAL CELEBRITY....THE OTHERS ARE REALLY MORE LIKE IDOLS. I ADMIRE YOU FOR ADMIRING HER!

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JoannaMoory [2009-03-23 07:49:00 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous.

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Sabis In reply to JoannaMoory [2009-03-23 11:10:48 +0000 UTC]

Thank you

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TwistedGenie [2009-03-22 23:24:24 +0000 UTC]

It brought tears to my eyes reading about this piece I would think your gramma would B honored you did such a marvelous job with this She sounds like a remarkable woman

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Sabis In reply to TwistedGenie [2009-03-23 11:10:41 +0000 UTC]

Gram has always been my most stout supporter, but I don't think she liked this one. All she saw was age, and kept repeating, "I am not that old..that's not me." Her daughters felt it an exact capture. I felt horrid at having upset her, and should have stuck with my instinct not to show her. I understood very well, for doesn't the body age, while the person inside remains youthful? In the end it was all the lovely comments that brought her around to seeing how beautiful she still was.

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TwistedGenie In reply to Sabis [2009-03-24 02:47:58 +0000 UTC]

I am glad she came around to finding the beautiful person she had become with her 'character' lines and I remember as a teenager making the mistake of asking my gramma when she turned 83 by asking her if she was feeling olde . . . I got an ear full on how she still felt like she was 16 and that just her darn body was uncoperative with her mind It was an eye opener and I never looked at older folks the same since I just hope now I can enjoy my 'character' lines that appear more frequently and see the wisdom and strength that help carve them instead of longing for a youthful appearance that was nothing but trouble anyways

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Sabis In reply to TwistedGenie [2009-03-26 09:35:08 +0000 UTC]

I think I got that exact same speech from my Gram.

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Hyta [2009-02-14 14:12:31 +0000 UTC]

amazing...

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Sabis In reply to Hyta [2009-02-16 11:25:50 +0000 UTC]

Thank you.

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Hyta In reply to Sabis [2009-02-16 14:11:58 +0000 UTC]

This text
(
You might be an artist if:
-all you see can be reduced to shapes
-lighting is not just functional, its essential
-everywhere you look, a new piece is waiting
to be drawn, sculpt'd, paint'd or photo'd.
-are OCD about art
-daydream.
)
describes a visual artist. This way you eliminate musicians, people whose lifes are pieces of art and other artists from the set.

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Sabis In reply to Hyta [2009-02-16 23:41:32 +0000 UTC]

Hmm..pity they don't give you more characters for signatures...

I described what I could fit in. I am a Visual Artist after all.

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Hyta In reply to Sabis [2009-02-17 00:18:03 +0000 UTC]

Oh, I didn't know about a character limit. Can there be a picture?

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Sabis In reply to Hyta [2009-02-17 00:44:45 +0000 UTC]

Not that I know of, I don't think thumbs work. Give it a try!

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Hyta In reply to Sabis [2009-02-17 00:52:11 +0000 UTC]

Nah, only text or emots.

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Trovanischa [2008-08-27 23:04:13 +0000 UTC]

Gorgeous portrait. Lovely story. Great Piece of Art. It makes me want to meet her. Congrats.

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Estrellita-Nik [2008-06-15 15:24:16 +0000 UTC]

Oh wow... the description is such a sweet and emotion-filled story that it almost made me cry!

It makes me sad that I didn't get to know my own grandmas that well. I'm sure that she is very proud of you and happy to know that you appreciate her so much, I have only begun to realized how much my mother has done and sacrificed for me and my sisters, and I wish I had your tallent to draw a portrait of her like this one.

Maybe she'll keep both drawings on the side table... kind of a before and after of your skills! Anyway, keep up the great work!

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GreatComment [2008-05-18 10:10:51 +0000 UTC]

Hi!

I have featured your artwork in this article [link] , using the browse words β€˜Wish I could be as good’.
Those words were inspired by a β€˜Great Comment’ from ~sindorium .
I hope this feature will bring you some nice comments too!
_____________

More about this project you will be able to find here ~GreatComment . If you would like to stay informed, at the profile page!

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Sabis In reply to GreatComment [2008-06-06 14:43:47 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so very much!

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GreatComment In reply to Sabis [2008-06-19 10:42:20 +0000 UTC]

You're most welcome!

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Sailor-Doom [2008-05-10 10:29:18 +0000 UTC]

I must admit, the reality and concept behind this piece far outweighs the artwork. Not that I am saying its not absolutely brilliant (because it is) but it's not just another drawing of a portrait or an old person. It has much more to it than that. Thank you for sharing this artwork and most of all, thank you for sharing hope in the fact there are people who still love and forgive in this dark cruel world.

Great job.

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Sabis In reply to Sailor-Doom [2008-05-12 12:41:20 +0000 UTC]

The world grows thin of people like her, as we all learn to serve ourselves and not each other. Sad but true.

Thank you

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Sailor-Doom In reply to Sabis [2008-05-13 04:52:07 +0000 UTC]

Couldn't agree more and you're welcome

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akaLilith [2008-05-09 13:53:22 +0000 UTC]

CONGRATS on winning a place in the contest!! VERY well deserved!!!

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MayFong [2008-05-08 15:57:05 +0000 UTC]

BIG CONGRATULATIONS for winning a place in the contest!!!!

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Jacksnabox90 [2008-05-04 16:28:35 +0000 UTC]

this is soo touching as I read it my eyes literally bean to tear up...I know what you mean about loving your grandma...and how she displays your drawing...proudly as if its the best thing in the world....and yet you may not be able to see what she see in it..(= but yea grandma's are the best! good luck in the conest...I'm sure you'll win through! if it means anything you got my vote!!

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Ayra-Arts [2008-04-29 10:20:33 +0000 UTC]

amazing detail!

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akaLilith [2008-04-27 13:04:36 +0000 UTC]

What a beautiful piece of art. I can see you put your heart and soul into it.

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Sabis [2008-04-27 09:30:38 +0000 UTC]

Thank you for the lovely comments. I haven't sealed the drawing yet, because I keep feeling it isn't done yet. I think I may work on it a little more. Just the jacket and the hair nag at me..well and the shadowing in the throat, even if I kept it as depicted. Sometimes I think you have to deviate to make it look right.
I have been VERY lucky to have this woman in my life. I feel for folks who don't have such a person, and sometimes I have to think that we overlook those we see everyday as heroes, maybe only because we haven't learned to appreciate who contributes to our lives. If I look closely..I have a couple more heroes in my family. ( I think they get it from Gramma heh)

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Scarlatti [2008-04-27 07:05:50 +0000 UTC]

Amazing work, sweetie

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jessains [2008-04-27 00:44:23 +0000 UTC]

This is such an amazing piece and the story accompanying it makes it even more amazing! Good luck in the Heroes comp, not that you need it

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sparchert [2008-04-26 10:12:26 +0000 UTC]

well done mate. beautiful ^^ top of the chart!

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RTyson [2008-04-26 07:25:05 +0000 UTC]

Beautiful work Diane...you've certainly got my vote.

You were very lucky to have known such a wonderful person, many people live a lifetime without ever knowing someone as beautiful as your Gramma, and doing such a heartfelt portrait is a true tribute to her life. Good luck, I hope you win.

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E777Y [2008-04-26 02:22:41 +0000 UTC]

this is brilliant really hope you win!! look at my blog..

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Fandias [2008-04-24 11:38:30 +0000 UTC]

How wonderful...

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Samwise45 [2008-04-22 03:12:52 +0000 UTC]

She's beautiful! Amazing detail! Really wonderful!

Sam

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tizjezzme [2008-04-22 01:34:34 +0000 UTC]

*waving & smiling* - Hi, remember me? I'm so glad I checked up on you; you have done 2 more gorgeous portraits I haven't seen yet. Diane, I read every word here; your gramma is gorgeous, and I can certainly understand why she proudly displays it in a frame. Your work truly is the best I have ever seen ...... xx Shari

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eskile [2008-04-21 20:52:56 +0000 UTC]

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Wonderfull!!!Drawing

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Redtanglewood [2008-04-21 20:09:06 +0000 UTC]

This is so wonderful. You've brought life and expression to her face that is so realistic. I hope she has read your comments - they brought tears to my eyes, and I'm sure they have or would do the same to her. It sounds to me like you are her hero also

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SweetBeriiChu [2008-04-21 20:00:56 +0000 UTC]

Excellent Job!

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hunterb [2008-04-21 19:55:08 +0000 UTC]

What a beautiful portrait! As always, the fine details really convey her personality and character.

I'm sure she'll be very happy and proud!

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MayFong [2008-04-21 18:48:08 +0000 UTC]

Diane, you did an excellent job. Her gentle face exudes kindness and no-nonsense wisdom. Your story definitely adds depth to this drawing! It's lovely and heart-warming. I am sure she will display this new portrait proudly.

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Dabull04 [2008-04-21 17:11:16 +0000 UTC]

This is so beautiful Diane, the skin textures and eyes are very well done

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