I admired the dignity Chadwick Boseman carried, the depth he brought to his roles, and the quiet strength that was palpaple beyond the screen.
In the weeks after his passing, I was preparing for the Greetings from Benson mural, which would begin in early October 2020. My collaborating artist had asked me to paint the mural’s four human figures. She was familiar with my earlier Raleigh murals, Ladies Night and Flo’ and felt I would be better at painting the people in our proposed mural in Benson, NC. Although I had painted people before, the postcard-inspired style of the Benson mural called for a different approach, and I wanted to get it right.
I painted this portrait of Chadwick as both a tribute and a study—leaning slightly further into realism while still allowing my own style to remain visible.
The finished piece gave me the reassurance I needed. It reminded me that I could stretch beyond what felt familiar without losing my own artistic voice. What began as preparation became a moment of remembrance, reflection, and renewed confidence.
Title: Chadwick Boseman Tribute.
Site: Studio
Medium: Acrylic painting on canvas.
Date: September 2020.
