Bold Brush
Enriching the History of Hillsborough
Introduction
In a world of constant change and progress, art serves as a strong bridge between the past, present, and future. It has the ability to capture the essence of a time period, an event, or a culture in a way that words alone cannot and becomes a visual representation of history, allowing future generations to connect with and understand the past and be a vital enabler of anthropology. By preserving history through art, we ensure that the lessons and experiences of past are not forgotten, but rather celebrated, learned from, and carried forward. I have been learning art since my early childhood (second grade). Recently I had the unique opportunity to strengthen the history of the hillsborough township by leveraging my art skills.
The Project
I live in Hillsborough, NJ. We moved here when I was a little kid and I have spent my entire life growing up in this town. Given my interest in anthropology, I have spent considerable time researching the history of this township. The township has a rich history that dates back to the colonial era. Its first settlers were primarily Dutch and English farmers who established homesteads on the fertile land. In fact, the township was originally part of the Dutch colony of New Netherland and was known as "Voorhees Township" until it was officially renamed to Hillsborough in 1771.
For quite sometime, I have been trying to find ways to contribute to the community. During my advanced art history class, I learned much about how art is a powerful medium to preserve history and pass along knowledge. For example, during the 1780’s, there was no internet. However, even then, people in Europe knew how our first president, George Washington, looked like - passed along through art portrait. I realized the crucial role art plays in creating historical records.
Since I have been learning art for a long time, I thought I had an unique way to contribute to the community and enrich its history. Through the art academy I go to, I reached out to the township administrators to explore the possibility of painting a portrait for the township. The township administration was so very intrigued by this idea. In fact, they were looking to commission an experienced artist to paint the portrait of the first police officer of the township, Mr. Donald Dowches, to commemorate the first year anniversary - and asked whether i could take on that project…this was a huge stretch for me as I had never done a full human portrait before but this was such an unique opportunity to contribute to the town that I said yes.
My Approach
I started in earnest during the summer of 2022 and spent most of my summer and fall focused on this portrait. I began by studying and observing the picture of Mr. Dowches. I analyzed the facial features, expressions, and character traits to capture the essence of Mr. Dowches’s personality.
Next, I started with a rough sketch of the Mr. Dowches’s face and proportions. This served as a foundation for the artwork.I then gradually built up layers of color and value to create volume and depth. I used different techniques, such as blending, layering, and fine brushstrokes, to achieve the desired level of realism or expressiveness.
As my portrait started progressing, I started refining the details. I paid close attention to features like the eyes, nose, mouth, and hair, using various techniques to bring out Mr. Dowches’s unique characteristics. Throughout the process, I constantly evaluated and made adjustments to capture a likeness or convey the desired expression. I needed to make changes to proportions, colors, or values to achieve the desired result.
Once I was satisfied with the overall portrait, i added final touches or details. This involved adding highlights, adjusting edges, or refining textures. After completing the painting, i chose to varnish the painting to protect the surface and enhance the colors.
I had worked tirelessly for almost 6 months to get the portrait painted. Finally, in Jan 2023, the portrait was ready for unveiling.
The unveiling of the portrait
During this time, word had spread in the township about this portrait and people were excited to see this portrait. The date was set for Feb 2023. The township had also successfully contacted immediate family of Mr. Dowches and made arrangements for them to be there for the unveiling. The unveiling event took place at the town hall, a grand and historic building that holds special significance to the townspeople. So many of the town was present to see the event. The room fell into a hushed silence as all eyes remain fixed on the artwork, curious to see how i had captured Mr. Dowches’s spirit and personality.
When the portrait was unveiled, Gasps of awe and appreciation filed the room as everyone took in the remarkable likeness captured in the portrait. Mr. Dowches’'s family and friends were particularly moved, as they saw his presence immortalized on canvas. People slowly approached the portrait to examine it up close, marveling at the intricate details and the emotions emanating from the artwork. They engaged in conversations with me, asking about my creative process and sharing their own personal connections to Mr. Dowches.
In my mind, The unveiling served as a watershed moment for both me and the township. It allowed me to preserve a key part of Hillsborough’s history through art and for township, how one of their key civic leaders was memorialized. The portrait has now takes its place in the court room, becoming a cherished symbol of Hillsborough’s unity and artistic spirit. It serves as a reminder the profound impact that art can have on people's lives.
Recognitions
I was honored by the Mayor and township committee. In addition, the work was published in several social media and other news articles. Few of it are mentioned below.
Tapinto: “Hillsborough HS Artist Immortalized Township’s First Police Chief”, https://www.tapinto.net/towns/hillsborough/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/hillsborough-hs-artist-immortalizes-township-s-first-police-chief
Centraljersey.com: “Hillsborough honors township’s very first police officer, former police chief with portrait”, https://centraljersey.com/2023/01/25/hillsborough-honors-townships-very-first-police-officer-former-police-chief-with-portrait
Acknowledgements
I want to thank Mr. Kevin Murphy of The Art Academy and the Hillsborough Township Administration for providing me with the opportunity to be able to paint the portrait of Mr. Dowches and commemorate his memory and all that he did for the township and enrich the history of the township.