I spent more than 25 years exploring, and documenting the life of my brother Mike*. Fifteen years of that process was devoted to photographing him, his activities associated with his group home, day school and parties. I was a novice photographer at the start of this project. Much of my emphasis was on capturing moments, the dynamics between Mike and other members of my family. The photographic reference for the sketch below was blurry and grainy (as were many of my early shots), but the moment was preserved and the photo allowed me to interpret it through the process of sketching.
Mike Sketch Series: Mom Saying Goodbye to Mike April 1993
Pencil Sketch
9″x12″ 90# Sketch Book Paper
*My older brother Mike is autistic, low functioning and nonverbal.
I can only imagine the heart ache for your mother and loved ones…the uncertainty and historical times…heartfelt. 🤓❣️
Thanks, Hedy. Yes, my mother and father had a tough time, especially in the 1950s when autism and retardation (to use ’50s parlance) were little known and kept in the closet.