My name is Xinyi Christine Zhang, and I started the Portraits of the Brave Project in April 2020 when I was 15, using my love for art to give back to the community. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I wanted to honor those who have lost their lives on the front lines and provide solace to their families by drawing and distributing digital memorials free of charge. I decided to draw digital art portraits because families can easily print and frame the portrait, send them to relatives, etc. 

 

These heroes possess the courage that many can only aspire to have, and they truly deserve it--this pandemic has left its mark in history, and these heroes should be remembered as a shining light during these dark times. Now, I have expanded my project to include any heroes in our society who lost their lives for a heroic cause. 

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A beautiful portrait does not have to be bought with thousands of dollars. In my memorial drawings, a low-quality reference image can be turned to high-quality portraits, with added splashes of vibrant, unique colors that truly bring the picture to life. A memorial can bring much sentimental value and warmth into a family, and it can capture snippets of happiness that a photo simply cannot. 

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Please feel free to browse the gallery on the "Completed Works" page and remember these heroes who sacrificed their lives to help others.