The Smile Series
The Smile Series began in 2021 as a simple concept: paint genuine human joy. Over time, it evolved into an ongoing investigation of personality and the unique physical transformation that occurs when someone truly smiles. A real smile alters the entire landscape of the face—eyes squint, cheeks lift, and teeth emerge in a way that is wonderfully authentic.
My subjects include friends, family, and strangers whose expressions demanded to be captured on canvas. This project is still active and growing.
I am particularly drawn to the Duchenne smile—a sincere expression where the eyes and cheeks join the mouth. I look for the unposed and the imperfect: the wrinkles, the crooked teeth, and the spontaneous laughter captured when the subject forgets they are being observed.
I want the faces found in a photo your best friend took of you.
If you have a candid, high-resolution photograph of a genuine smile (no selfies or staged poses), please share it. I require uncropped images where the eyes, mouth, and jaw are clearly visible for reference. Submissions must be your own work or sent with permission. If your image inspires a new piece in the series, I will contact you directly.
The Duchenne Smile
A physiological marker of true emotion, defined by the involuntary lifting of the cheeks and the gathering of lines around the eyes. Unlike a staged pose, a Duchenne smile cannot be manufactured—it is a fleeting moment of absolute authenticity that transforms the human face into a canvas of pure joy.
