The thesis for my show was about people who have impacted my life and painting them as a way of showing what they mean to me. My friends Natalie and John both decided they didn’t want to see their portraits until they were hung in the gallery which gave me a great opportunity to get their reactions on video. Since most of you don’t know them, I thought I would explain a little bit about why I chose these two.

Natalie and John have been a big part of my life over the last few years. This makes them two of my more recent friends to make it into my show. I met them both going to Cru, a Christian organization on campus at UW-Stevens Point. They might not know how much they’ve done for me, but their influence has made me a better person in so many ways.

Over the last few years, I have gotten to learn from them, watch them grow into incredible people, and help them overcome the challenges that come with being in your 20s (Because I am SO old and wise #22andstillkickin).
I met John first. We were both appointed to a leadership role in Cru called Fireseeds. At the time I was a junior and John a freshman, but he had an energy and a presence that nobody could ignore! After our leadership role was fulfilled, we began getting lunch together on a pretty weekly basis. When we have our weekly chats, we talk about God, our families, school, and anything else we can think about. Sometimes I can even convince him to take a long lunch, skip class, and goof off with me. John was the last person I painted for my show, so he was updated weekly about my progress and who I was painting.  I remember the day I asked him if I could paint him. The conversation went something like,

J- “So you still haven’t gotten Natalie to look at her painting yet?”

A-“No matter how much I beg she still says no. She’s a stubborn one.”

J- “Who are you planning on painting next? Alec?”

A-“No, I already painted him.. I was actually hoping you would let me paint you?”

J-“Oh yeah right, like you’re going to paint me.” *realizes I’m serious* “Oh my gosh! are you serious?! That would be so amazing! Wait! I don’t want to see mine until the show is up either!”

A- *Eye roll*

I met Natalie later the year I met John.  In Cru there is a process we call “follow-up”. Follow up is simply, meeting with someone who wants to know more about the Lord and has taken a step to either recommit or start a relationship with God. Natalie was assigned to me, which I can only assume has to do with the fact that she and I are 2 of the only redheads involved in the organization. But as it turns out, we became really great friends too! Natalie is like a little sister to me, and one of my closest friends here in Point. I even got to go with her to get her first tattoo! When I asked if I could paint her, she was so excited and we planned a date for me to take some reference photos of her.

I still remember the day I introduced Natalie and John. Natalie and I were having our usual meeting for the week, and we decided to skip and eat lunch instead. I asked her if we could go sit with my friend John, she wasnt sure, but I said that they would get along really well. Lo and behold a friendship was born! I am so sad to be graduating and leaving these two, but now whenever they miss me they can just hang out together! Except for when I come visit of course!