La Vecchia e la Morte (The Old Woman and Death) 1981-1887

While in Florence studying at the Academy I often went back to Siena to see my family in Siena. I 1982 I started drawing my grandmother (Elena Palazzi) who used to live on the top floor of our farm house. She was the most patient and loving model (bless her heart). Every time I went back I would draw her as she was with her hair disheveled or contained, bundled up with blankets to keep warm or with a cotton vest in the summer. I drew her over and over again until I left to study in the US in 1987. She passed away in 1989 at 87. She was born in a family of farmers and was very small and frail but had a great inner strength and fortitude. She brought up her kids (my father and aunt) earning money mending wheat sacks starting at 4 am.every day while my grandfather worked as a janitor. She often fought with my grandfather who was unfaithful and at times violent towards her. I tried to capture her somewhat troubled life in the expression in her eyes and body. This web page is dedicated to my grandmother Elena Palazzi and her life. All works are pencil or charcoal on paper or oil on canvas unless otherwise noted.