Maya Girl from Chiapas

This image comes from a photograph taken in the Chiapas highlands in 2007. A friend from Hollister and I were visiting Zapatista Rebels who were commemorating an attack by paramilitary forces that killed 22 people in Actial, Chiapas. The community was unarmed; the dead included children, women and men. Just before our scheduled arrival the organizers warned of paramilitary action in the area, but encouraged us to continue with our visit because the presence of US citizens would lessen the likelihood of attack.

This pencil drawing is a study for an upcoming pastel painting. It is my first piece completed in 2023.

Drawing used Derwent 2B, 4B, and 8B pencils, and Strathmore 80 pound drawing paper.

Photographing pencil drawings is challenging, and while I will re-take a photo in the future, this is the best I could do at this time.