My portrait of Dominic Blackwell, one of the 3 people who died in the school shooting tragedy on November 14th at Saugus High School, a place that’s been like another home to me and so many other people. I made this to show my respect to him, his family, my high school, and our community. I didn’t know Dominic, I will always remember him and his beautiful smile because of my opportunity to spend hours looking at his picture and painting him. It was a great privilege to paint this picture of you, Dominic. 

I was also given the opportunity to go to his house and meet his mom, dad, and three little brothers to give them this painting.

This painting also allowed me to cope and heal from the tragedy. I was there that day, in the choir room, about thirty feet from where the gunman shot three and killed himself and two others. I was lucky enough to have myself and the people I am close to, come out physically unharmed. This was a very terrifying day and it rocked the whole community to our cores, painting these pictures of the victims and the gunman, who I knew, really helped my community and I start to heal.