The Rationale

The project’s name is a response to the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story defined by three distinct reactions to a neighbor in crisis. The first two travelers practiced the "averted gaze," choosing to walk by on the other side of the road. It was the third traveler who chose to stop, providing the mercy of presence, care, and resources.

Named for that third response, this project is a commitment to the act of stopping. I believe that fine art can do more than just decorate a room; it can serve as a permanent record of the individuals we have been conditioned to overlook.

The Three Mercies

1. The Mercy of Presence: I sit with each neighbor. We talk, and I pay them for their time and the right to document their likeness. Every portrait begins with a face-to-face encounter.

2. The Mercy of Representation: Using charcoal and chalk—materials of the earth, burnt wood, and dust—I translate that encounter into a permanent, fine art record. These archival portraits ensure that an individual's dignity is given a lasting place in our community.

3. The Mercy of Restoration: The project doesn’t end at the easel. 50% of all proceeds from every original and print sold is donated to local housing outreach in Bradenton, turning the art into a tangible resource for the journey back.

The Medium

I work in charcoal because it is raw and honest. It is a fragile medium for a raw subject—technically impermanent and easily wiped away. It serves as a reminder that while our neighbors' circumstances may be precarious, their humanity is absolute.