The opening of Unconquerable Souls, a solo exhibition by Desmond Blair, was a profound blessing. His personal narrative, which recounted his journey through overwhelming grief, deeply moved me. Witnessing how he transformed that grief into a soulful tribute to loved ones and those who have been guiding lights in his life was truly inspiring.
This was my first time attending one of his exhibitions, but I first heard of Desmond’s unforgettable life story on the news during the pandemic. He is an amazing portrait artist with an incredible gift to depict people in the most engaging ways. He describes his process as “capturing emotion, capturing movement, capturing feeling…the inner play between light and shadow…putting together the pieces of a puzzle until the composition is done”. Upon encountering his work, all of its elements captivate your attention, creating an immersive experience comparable to standing before a live person.
There are 12 paintings in this exhibition, each one with their own story to tell.
Unconquerable Souls runs October 18 – November 8, 2025 at Pencil on Paper Gallery in Dallas TX. Learn more about Desmond Blair.
“Creating artwork allows your mind to be in a safe place while it contemplates the tougher issues you are dealing with. One can use the tools of brush, paint, pastels, crayons etc. to expose and even for a short time color those issues in a different light.”
― George E. Miller
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