Cuban Cigar Painting

My uncle, Ben Funnekotter, recently visited Cuba, and found this gorgeous old woman sitting on the corner of the street hurling insults at everyone passing her by. His photograph captured her resilient attitude and and I was compelled to paint her, and in turn, capture that same spirit through the canvas. She is life personified; weathered skin from thousands of days in the sun, dim eyes from seeing the world, drooping boobs from raising children and fine taste in cigars. She brightens up every room, and I have fallen in love with her every day.