Erick by olivetreeann

Erick

I find myself really digging for insight into the person I've chosen to photograph in these "portraits without people". Today's portrait is my eldest son, Erick. From early on it was evident that Erick had an eye for color and composition. He was also a very hands-on child. He loved to help cook in the kitchen, build towers with his blocks, paint or color and "mow the lawn" with a variety of toy lawn mowers- his favorite being a handle with two wheels that my father made for him. As he got older, his interests turned to taking things apart and putting them back together- particularly bikes which more times than not, worked better when he put them back together. In high school he started his own lawn care business, played drums and soccer and found he enjoyed the arts as much as he enjoyed machines. He decided to go to art school after high school and eventually landed in the Fine Arts program there rather than going the art education route. But in the end, he preferred working in the masonry trade with his uncle and finally settled on that after playing in a band for awhile. When I thought about Erick this week and how I would do his portrait without him in the picture, I thought of work gloves. They seem to be an apt description of him- the way he works, helps others and expresses himself. He has grown from that hands on boy to a man with strong hands and I am truly proud to call him my son.
Cool
February 3rd, 2013  
WOW!!!! Love, love love!!!! Ann, you have really out did yourself this time. I think this is an amazing project! Something I'm very inspired to so with my family!! Fav! :-) I can tell this really speaks who your son is in the photo. :-)
February 3rd, 2013  
Very very nice
February 3rd, 2013  
I hope that you share this with him. What an honor to have raised a son you can like so much and have such respect for
February 3rd, 2013  
Love this shot.
February 3rd, 2013  
@kerristephens thank you Kerri!
@vposey thank you Vickie! And thank you so much for the fav! I did my husband Jeff yesterday and tomorrow I will do one for son #2, but it really is an interesting prospect to take a picture of a person without them in it!
@fullcircle thanks Cindy!
@pandorasecho thank you Dixie! I don't know how he'd react to it. He's so humble! And still a bit self-conscious when it comes to compliments. But I might show him the picture at least and tell him how it pictures him. He'd probably like that better than reading the description.
@dakotaburns thanks Donald- it's a really tight shot of my hearth!
February 3rd, 2013  
a striking shot, and a tribute to Erick ~
February 3rd, 2013  
@eniaral Thank you Laraine! As you know, sons are quite special!
February 3rd, 2013  
A nice little summary of a great guy, I would say! Made his own life and is happy! The work gloves are a good instance of the work ethic!
February 3rd, 2013  
@maggiemae Thank you Maggie! That is very insightful! He does have a great work ethic.
February 3rd, 2013  
Fav! Wonderf words and heart.
February 3rd, 2013  
I love hand shots, never thought about gloves~cool!
February 3rd, 2013  
Very well done, and good thinking.
February 3rd, 2013  
Such lovely words Ann and a great shot to captured the essence of your son.
February 3rd, 2013  
I really love this one, the image and the words!
February 3rd, 2013  
A great idea - from what you've said about him, these seem like the perfect representation :)
February 3rd, 2013  
Your picture also depicts someone with inner strength which seems to come out in your description - I do hope my children will grow up to be themselves.
February 3rd, 2013  
Great composition and idea. Love it in B&W. Thanks for giving an insight on Erick.
February 3rd, 2013  
@worthitall @httpgeffed @digitalrn @nicolecampbell @jplovescotton @alia_801 @filsie65 @sangwann
Thank you Rashella, Colleen, Rick, Nicole, Janice, Alia, Phil and Dione! I am certainly proud of Erick and your thoughtful comments go straight to my heart!

@worthitall Thank you so much for the fav Rashella!
February 3rd, 2013  
Great idea for a shot
February 3rd, 2013  
good thought on this one
February 3rd, 2013  
This photo really depicts the wonderful son you portrayed in your narrative.
February 3rd, 2013  
Wonderful picture...and words. You introduced him perfectly.
February 4th, 2013  
Great shot to show a portrait of your son. A great tribute to him also.
February 4th, 2013  
@bkbinthecity @sarasdadandmom @henrir @mrssmith @daisy

Thank you Brian, Terry, Henri, Carla and Kathryn! I'm pleased you enjoyed my portrait!
February 4th, 2013  
Great portrait shot!! I really like this concept . This is awesome.
February 4th, 2013  
@smithak Thank you Smitha!
February 4th, 2013  
Bev
Great shot and great story! Love the composition of the gloves. Well done, Ann!
February 4th, 2013  
Interesting story and thought-provoking photo. Beautiful display of love along with the words from the heart.
February 4th, 2013  
@prttblues @cimes1
Thank you Bev!
Thank you Carole!
February 4th, 2013  
That's a good texture study, and the focus is well judged. Are you doing a black and white series now?
February 5th, 2013  
@automaticslim Thanks Andy! Yes, it's a month long challenge I cooked up with Vikki @summerfield called Flash of Red February. http://365project.org/discuss/themes-competitions/16115/flash-of-red-february if you're inclined to check it out.
February 5th, 2013  
Ah yes, I did see that. Unfortunately the flash of red was a sticking point!
February 5th, 2013  
Lovely textures
February 10th, 2013  
@automaticslim We thought it might have a really interesting look on the calendar view. I'm sure you could have found a variation that suited you. A couple people said they would just do black and white and not even follow the weekly subjects- it doesn't really bother me. I'm all for the motto, "your project, your rules".
@wenbow Thank you Wendy!
February 11th, 2013  
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