![Grandma - Charcoal Drawing by Ben Kikuyama](https://benkikuyama.com/newBK/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/grandma.jpg)
GRANDMA
charcoal on paper
22” x 15”
UNAVAILABLE
When I first told my dad I wanted to be an artist, he had that look like, “Oh, God”.
For years he would point out different job openings and stuff like that. Eventually I was able to get a few charcoal portrait commissions and actually start to make a living with my art.
Then one day out of the blue he asked me to do a drawing of my grandma. This was the first time he ever acknowledged me as an artist. After I finished the piece, he then asked if we could make prints so he could give them to his brothers and sisters. I would visit my relatives and see the print hanging in their living rooms. Till this day, still one of my favorite pieces.
– write-up from the artist
![Photo of Grandma](https://benkikuyama.com/newBK/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/grandma-photo-755x1024.jpg)
Original photograph of artist’s grandmother used as reference for charcoal drawing