Vivian

18" x 24"
Acrylic & 24k Goldleaf on Canvas
Ready-to-hang

This painting is a tribute to both Vivian Liberto, Johnny Cash's first wife— and my grandmother Mary.

In creating this piece, I was inspired after watching My Darling Vivian, noticing a lot of Vivian's resiliency and dedication to her children that reminded me of my own grandma Mary. Both women grew up in religious Texas households, raised daughters and navigated life as single moms. My appreciation for Johnny Cash's music, which I often heard my grandfather sing, motivated me to shine a light on the women who are frequently overshadowed in these narratives.

To honor Vivian's style and regality, I incorporated goldleaf into her earrings, capturing the essence of her powerful stare in a home photograph where she quietly confronts the cameraman. Johnny sits just out of frame, eclipsing her to the left. Additionally, I painted in Johnny’s 1955 Martin D-18 guitar off to the side, symbolizing the connection between the music and the women who influenced it.