Paintings for Paul

Richard is an artist at the Ivuka Art Studio in Kacuyiro, Kigali. He and I have become good friends while working together on a project he is proposing to paint murals in health centers and schools. I hope to see the project move forward before I leave, but I only have one month left in Kigali and am not sure I will see completion of the project. Richard is a very hardworking and big-hearted young artist. I wanted a chance to help support him directly so I commissioned a series of paintings for Paul (and I).

Richard has a unique style where he crumbles charcoal and adds it to his paintings for a 3-D effect. He uses bright colors too. I asked him to do a series of three paintings for Paul and I, depicting love and family. He created three very beautiful paintings for us.

I am happy these paintings will always remind us of Rwanda and Richard. Let's hope I am able to pack them securely in my suitcase!