The Work of Amy Sherald

Amy Sherald with her work (Details Below)

First Lady Michelle Obama , Amy Sherald, Oil on Linen, 2018

I like this portrait of Michelle Obama by Amy Sherald. I think it balances a flatter style while still giving depth to the subjects by using shadows. I also love her use of color. It feels unnaturally blue for the skin tones, but it works to pull everything together and pulls the color in dress out slightly more.

Breonna Taylor, Amy Sherald, 2020, Oil on Linen

"I don’t think I thought about the viewer so much as I thought about her family when I was making this portrait . . . but when you’re speaking about violence against women and police brutality, she’s become a face for that movement." Amy Sherald

This work gives Breonna Taylor dignity. That is one of my favorite things about all of Sherald's work. She treats each subject, typically African Americans, and gives them so much respect in her work.

I like the idea of using color to further represent an opinion on a certain issue. This makes me want to think about color and the meaning it can convey in addition to what it will look like.