I begin this series with watercolors I painted of my brother Michael along with their reference photographs. Through this collection, I return to the mission of this blog (as it began, in 2013), which was to explore my relationship with my older autistic brother. Mike is autistic, low functioning and nonverbal. Today, Mike is on the East Coast and has been very unwell for the past several years. I am on the West Coast. My younger brother and I are frequently updated by staff, and take part in medical and other decisions that must be made to assure his good care.

I will keep up this series as long as I am able, as it takes a toll on me.

Here is a portrait of Mike I made from a photo taken during the last time our family was all together.

Here is one of the photos that inspired this portrait: