Family Ties explores the connection and separation between generations of women. The older figure stares directly ahead, embodying already established ideas of what a “normal” life should look like, while the younger figure looks away toward something unknown—suggesting curiosity, change, and the possibility of a different future. The piece reflects the tension between tradition and individuality, questioning how expectations shift as people age.

The work can also be interpreted as a younger and older version of the same person. Youth is often filled with openness, dreams, and endless possibilities, while adulthood can make paths feel narrower and more defined. By placing the two figures so closely together, the piece emphasizes how these versions of ourselves continue to coexist and influence one another over time.

Drawn in colored pencil, the portrait uses soft layering, blended shading, and fine line work to create depth and realism. The intense contrast between the bright faces and the dark background isolates the figures, making their expressions feel intimate and emotionally direct. The exaggerated eyes and close composition create a sense of vulnerability, while the repeated red tones unify the figures as connected despite their differences.