This painting features Ramique, a trans man who I really appreciate allowing me to paint his portrait before top surgery. It was a big ask; we trans guys often don’t even want to be publicly visible until after we’ve completed transition, much less immortalized in a painting. But I believe all levels of transition deserve representation, and that the years of waiting and financial saving most trans people undergo for each operation we need also deserves acknowledgement. Despite the long wait for necessary care he was experiencing at the time of this artwork, he was able to radiate with untamed joy and pure resilience, and I feel like that is what true strength is made of. Original painting is watercolor, water-soluble graphite, ink, and metallic acrylic on 18x24-inch paper. Only my best-selling art is on here. Find more art and merchandise at arienreed.com