The Diligent Hand (2023)
Watercolor on paper 10”×14”
 
The Diligent Hand focuses on the weathered hand of an elderly Black man reaching to pluck a single bulb of cotton. The rich use of blue throughout the piece evokes the blues—a poignant reflection of struggle and resilience in the impoverished South.
 
The painting symbolizes the perseverance required to endure and overcome hardship. Just as cotton’s prickly fibers can wound the hands that harvest it, life’s challenges often cause pain. Yet through diligence and determination, we press on, striving to change our circumstances.