Looking at Glory

Jessie Nilo

Last year I found myself painting people always with their eyes closed, and I began to wonder why. Am I hesitant to paint people’s expressions of joy or pain? Am I afraid to look at beauty and glory? To me, it feels raw and vulnerable to depict open eyes, the window to the soul. So I painted this beautiful woman with dark skin and bright, open eyes. She is not afraid to look at glory. I want to be like her.