Terracotta Study is a rare survivor from my early studio days, one of the few fired clay pieces I chose to keep from my formative years as a sculptor.

The bust is a portrait of a young African American man, captured in a posture of profound dignity and strength. By using the natural, earthy warmth of terracotta, the work highlights the human connection to the clay itself—a medium that is both fragile and enduring once passed through the fire. 

The sculpture focuses on the quiet gravity of the subject's expression, emphasizing a sense of internal resolve rather than outward action. As a piece of my personal history, it serves as a bridge to my early technical explorations, preserving a moment of deep artistic respect for the resilience and character of the human face.