My name is Danielle Cuperus. I am a professional illustrator and create hand-drawn portrait drawings, using various mediums such as pencil, watercolor, and acrylic. I am a local artist who lives in Jenison, MI with my two wonderful children, Michael and Anastasia. I work at Grand Rapids local hospital as a unit secretary for the Adult Nephrology Department. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a dual degree in psychology, and Art and Design, as a professional illustrator (2010). In my free time I like to spend time with my kids at various outings around the community. I enjoy movies, museums, parks, beaches, and celebrating joys in life.

Being an artist is a big part of who I am. My ability to create a portrait reflects not just a face, but a precious moment in time. I have the ability as an artist to see details in each portrait, and this is an extraordinary gift I am happy to share with the community and wonderful city of Grand Rapids, MI.

My ArtPrize entry this year, “You Have An Effect On Me”, is a series of sixteen, five by seven-inch, hand-drawn portraits of those who influence me to stay kind, show compassion and love all. The artwork is designed for the “window frame’s” to be opened. Once opened, there is a mirror that reflects the audience, to show that love surrounds us, and the audience is my inspiration as well. Altogether, this is a representation of who you are and the love that surrounds all of us in this community. Please always remember to be and stay kind, compassionate, and love.

About my art piece for ArtPrize, "You Have an Effect on Me", is a series of sixteen 5x7 inch hand-drawn portraits of those who influence me to be and stay kind, compassionate, and love. When the "window frames" are opened, there is a mirror that reflects the audience, to show that love surrounds us, and the audience is my inspiration as well.

About each hand-drawn portrait in my series:

“MY HEART WILL GO ON”

“My Heart Will Go On” is a portrait of Celine Dion. Dion is an iconic musician who inspires kindness through her compassion, empathy, and resilience. She sings with her heart, soul, passion and emotion in any song. Dion’s performance of “My Heart will go on”, in the movie “The Titanic”, is a timeless classic. Dion shows me to not let anyone, or anything get in the way of what I love, lead with my heart, show my love and kindness for all, and simply just be myself.

“THE HUMANITARIAN KING”

“The Humanitarian King” is a portrait of Michael Jackson. Michael is an icon for many generations. For me, Jackson shows kindness through his humanitarianism acts. “I try to be kind and generous and to give to people and to do what I think God wants me to do. Sometimes I pray and say where do you want me to go next, God? What do you want me to do from here?”, quotes Jackson, and this is what I ask of God in my life, and look up to those, such as Jackson, as inspiration. Jackson inspires me to be true to myself and stay kind.

“PURPLE RAIN”

“Purple Rain” is a portrait of Prince (Prince Roger Nelson). Nelson is known as one of the most influential musicians of his generation. His actions and words inspired countless individuals to consider the importance of kindness and compassion in their own lives and make a positive impact on the world. “Purple Rain” is a song which represents spiritual concepts and themes of love, sensuality, artist expression, a new beginning, redemption, hope, and relates to the end of the world, being with the one you love, and letting your faith guide you, as well as expresses a sense of loss, sadness, and remembrance. “Purple Rain” evokes feelings of hope and something larger than oneself, which impacts positive actions and inspires kindness. Nelson reminds me to stay positive in what I do and remain kind.

“PIRATES LIFE FOR ME”

“Pirates Life For Me” is a portrait of Jonny Depp, as Jack Sparrow, in the movie series “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Sparrow, for the most part is an intoxicated pirate who is involved in crazy situations that he miraculously prevails. He represents a carefree, adventurous spirit, with a sense of freedom and living life on one's own terms and not take life too seriously. Sparrow inspires me to be freer. Inspires me to have humor with the crazy circumstances that can happen in my life’s journey. Most importantly, Sparrow, teaches me to take chances.

“MY ANASTASIA”

“My Anastasia” is a portrait of my youngest child, Anastasia, as a newborn, November 2019. Anastasia inspires me to do better in my life. Anastasia is my sassy diva who keeps me on my toes. She inspires me to be more witty, playful, and very imaginative as a grateful parent. Not only does she light up the room with her kindness, care, and love, but also reminds me that the best part of me is in herself: her kindness and compassion. Anastasia and her brother, Michael, shows so much patience, compassion, empathy, love, and kindness, which teaches me how to be a mom and better human being, especially in times when I feel and have felt weak.

“NOT A WEAKNESS”

“Not a Weakness” is a portrait of Keanu Reeves. Reeves believes that being kind is essential and a sign of true strength. He consciously chooses to spread light and kindness wherever he goes, and advocates for qualities in a person to be more kind. It is a powerful trait, a sign of strength, courage, resilience, positive connectivity, thoughtfulness, consideration, and empathy for others. Reeves reminds me that kindness is not a weakness. I live my life to be kind. Being kind is who I am.

“MOMENT IN TIME”

“Moment in Time” is a portrait of Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci. Vinci was an Italian painter, draftsman, sculptor, inventor, architect, and engineer, whose skill and intelligence represented the Renaissance humanist ideal. He was one of the most talented and genius thinkers in the world. Vinci loved learning, and with his relentlessness and curiosity, this led him to discoveries about the human form, ideas, and inventions. He is also known for his deep sense of compassion and kindness, for he loved and was very compassionate to animals, the environment, and people, including how he showed kindness and generosity toward others around him. He demonstrated and desired improvements in the world through his gentle and thoughtful approach to life. All these attributes Vinci displayed, inspires me to stay kind, keep learning and be curious about life, and most importantly be compassionate.

“ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE”

“All You Need is Love” is a portrait of The Beatles. The Beatles are an ionic band who promote love through their music. The band members, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, revolutionized many aspects of the music industry. Their universal message of love ignited positivity, social justice actions, and inspiration for generations. “All you need is love” is simply a song that love is everything. The Beatles remind me to encourage compassion, kindness, and understanding towards other, which is key to love.

“DENZEL”

“Denzel” is a portrait of Denzel Washington. Washington is one of the most recognizable actors of our time and believes that kindness is the greatest superpower in the world. It is so powerful. His perspective on love is that it can be inspiring and thought-provoking, reminds me that self-love is so important, love should feel like home, and love can be a powerful force for change and progress. We can all learn to be gentle, kind, and show love towards one another. Washington reminds me that it doesn’t take much time or effort to be kind. Love is present in every act of kindness, support, and understanding.

“TO LOVE SOMEBODY”

“To Love Somebody” is a portrait of The Bee Gees. The Bee Gees is a band of three brothers (Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibbs) who focused on themes of love, relationships, and kindness in their lyrics. Their music not only resonates deep, because it speaks to universal human experiences and emotions, including love and kindness, but also inspires love and kindness. "To Love Somebody" is a song that acknowledges the pain associated with love, even unrequited love, which is part of the human experience. The Bee Gees reminds me that even though love can lead to the emotional pains of sadness, longing, grief, and heartbreak, still believe in your heart and love. Unrequited love might be bitter and painful, but it is also the ultimate expression of your humanity. Every one is worthy of love.

“FREEMAN”

“Freeman” is a portrait of Morgan Freeman. Freeman is one of the world’s most respected actors. He is a very inspiring person and motivates kindness. Freeman believes that to change the world is to have one random act of kindness at a time. For me, the importance of kindness and compassion makes a positive impact on the world, as encouraged by Freeman. I believe that by staying kind and compassionate, I inspire or have left a mark on someone’s life.

“MY MICHAEL”

“My Michael” is a portrait of my oldest son, Michael, as a newborn, April 2015. Michael is autistic and shows me a whole new world through his eyes. He is also non-verbal with limitations in his life skills, but he is the most joyful and empathetical boy I ever met. His empathy towards others inspires me to be more calm, structured, protective, an advocate for special needs children, to be more patient, kind, courageous, and enjoy life in a different light. He brings so much joy and positivity, and along with his sister, Anastasia, shows so much patience, compassion, empathy, love, and kindness, which teaches me how to be a mom and better human being, especially when I feel weak.

“MY WAY”

“My Way” is a portrait of Frank Sinatra. Sinatra is an iconic singer in his time and for generations afterward. Sinatra was well known for his acts of kindness, and his music evokes strong feelings of nostalgia and romance. For me, there is no life without love. Singers, like Sinatra, linger in my heart and embrace a description of what love is. One of his famous songs, “I did it my way” is about living on ones’ own term, courage to follow one’s own path, and accepting the consequences of one’s choices, both good and bad. This song resonates with my life, for I choose to be kind, compassionate, and show love.

“CHADWICK”

“Chadwick” is a portrait of Chadwick Boseman. Boseman is an inspiring actor who promotes others to be kinder and more compassionate, while reminding someone to strive to do better. He was a source of positivity, love, and a light for so many people. He became an icon for so many movies, especially “The Black Panther”. He took every role he had and made the world truly believe he understood each character enough to become them. “We all know the truth: more connects us than separates us. But in times of crisis the wise build bridges, while the foolish build barriers. We must find a way to look after one another, as if we were one single tribe” (Boseman) and this is what his life was all about. He inspired others to live and love others well, and that is what he motivates me to continue to do so.

“THE KING”

“The King (Of Rock and Roll)” is a portrait of Elvis Presley. Presley is an absolute icon for many generations. His impressive skills of singing, acting, and playing musical instrument(s) is a legacy. His influence can be seen in many forms of popular culture, including music, movies, television, fashion, and art. Presley connected with people from all walks of life, and changed the way people thought about music and culture. His music reflected his soul, filled with raw emotion and vulnerability. The King of Rock and Roll didn't just make music—he poured his heart into it. Presley was described as kind-hearted and generous person, and his actions demonstrate that true happiness can be found in acts of kindness and helping others. This is what he inspires in me.

“PEOPLE’S PRINCESS”

“People’s Princess” is a portrait of Princess Diana. Lady Diana (Spencer) (Mountbatten-Windsor), Princess of Wales, is known for her compassion, kindness, humanitarian efforts, and interactions and connections with people. She spread light and kindness in the world, and showed that there are good people who do care. Not only did Princess Diana leave a legacy of love, compassion, and dedication to help others, but also reminds me that kindness and compassion serves a purpose; one person can make a difference.

 

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