About this experience…
This project was very emotional for me, The tragedy of the Pulse nightclub shootings was heartbreaking from the beginning, but as I learned more about Tevin Crosby from reading obituaries, news reports, and his Facebook posts, I was further moved with sadness. As I was painting this, I was struck with the senseless loss of this incredible human being, what his family must be going through, and what an inspiring person Tevin truly was. As a mom myself, I thought about Tevin’s mama constantly.
I was inspired by everything I read from and about Tevin. As a businessman and entrepreneur, Tevin was very goal oriented and motivated, with a strong work ethic. When I was looking through his photos, I was very happy to find a photo of him smiling, and wearing a business suit to use as reference for this project. In this moment, Tevin was awarding an employee of his company with a promotion. All of this seemed to exemplify wonderfully everything I had read about Tevin. He is remembered by friends and family for his warm smile, spreading joy, and living every day to the fullest. These qualities inspire me every day to be a better person… to be more like Tevin. He posted so many wonderful motivational quotes on his Facebook page, and there is one that I think of every day… “Never give up on a dream because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.”
I truly hope his whole family loves this portrait of Tevin, and that it reminds them daily of the wonderful man they raised and knew.
BIO
Holly R. Henson (b. 1971) is a fine artist currently living in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and two young daughters. First a student of Mathematics and Philosophy at Samford University, she later continued her studies in Painting and Drawing at Georgia State University and the Atlanta College of Art. Holly has studied with contemporary portrait/figurative masters such as Steven Assael and Seth Haverkamp. Additionally she has studied still life painting with master painter, Dennis Perrin. Her paintings are collected nationwide and internationally in London and Brussels. Holly has been creating oil paintings for over 20 years and her work has been featured in various group and solo exhibits, including exhibits by the Portrait Society of Atlanta and Oil Painter’s of America.
Website: holly-henson.com