A touching collaboration between a school board member and a talented high school student has resulted in a beautiful painting that bridges generations and preserves cherished family memories. Benjamin Logan School Board Member Debbie Johnson approached BLHS Art Teacher Jennifer Davis with an old photograph of her father, wondering if a student might be able to recreate it on canvas.
Davis immediately thought of Charley Hardman, a dedicated student artist who eagerly accepted the challenging project. Hardman worked diligently both at home and during class time to complete the acrylic portrait, focusing particularly on capturing the highlights and shadows that would bring the subject to life.
Johnson, now 70 years old, shared the special significance of the original photograph. "I think it might be nice for people to know that Charley painted the picture from a photo I took when I was a teenage girl on vacation," she explained. "I'm 70 now, so that was a long time ago! What a gift to take a memory from the past and bring it to life."
The project holds even deeper meaning when viewed in the context of Johnson's family's artistic legacy. She reflected on her own mother's remarkable talent, saying, "My mother was an awesome painter, but I didn't inherit the talent. She painted these pieces in 1938 when she was just 18 years old. They hang in my living room, framed by my grandfather's hands." The wooden frames for her mother's artwork, painted in 1937-1938, were handcrafted by Johnson's grandfather, creating a multi-generational artistic treasure.
For Hardman, the commission represented both an honor and a valuable learning experience. "I was very honored to take on this project for Mrs. Johnson and her family," the student artist shared. "This project was great for me, not only to grow my skills, but to challenge myself with capturing a person's likeness and bringing a feeling of nostalgia with it."
The young artist expressed hope that the finished work would serve its intended purpose of preserving and rekindling family memories. "I hope that my painting can bring back years of memories and good times to Mrs. Johnson and her family," Hardman said. "I'm very thankful that Mrs. Johnson and Mrs. Davis gave me this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to applying what I've learned from this project to new ones in the future."
This meaningful collaboration demonstrates how art serves as a bridge between generations, connecting past and present through the dedicated work of talented students. Through Hardman's thoughtful artistic interpretation, one family's cherished memory has been transformed from a fading photograph into a lasting work of art that will continue to preserve their legacy for years to come.
