Edward James Dolison, Jr.

From the artist, Hilda Kaufman: I was very happy to join this project and to be paired with the family of Edward James Dolison Jr. I often feel a deep connection with the person I’m drawing. This has been true with Edward. When I spend time focusing my attention over every bit of a person’s face, some uncanny tender feeling occurs. By spending time looking at Edward, I came to admire his sweetness, his openness and a feeling of hope. 

From the curator: This small portrait reminds me of looking at someone in bright sunlight. If you notice (the next time we can get close enough to do so) , in bright sun there are many more colors that can be seen in a person’s skin and hair and clothing. Hilda has used her mediums to make Edward alive with many, many colors. When she describes focusing on him and the tender feelings that arose, we can also see that with her painstaking technique she spent many, many hours with Edward. It is, indeed, a tender rendering of this accomplished young man. Here is another artist who has chosen a calming blue background. The detailed and colorful bust of Edward is our focus.

Edward on Graduation Day Portrait of Edward James Dolison, Jr. by Hilda Kaufman watercolor, marker, and pastel pencils 17”x21” 2019