I photographed my brother, Philipe, just before he left to head South to his new home in Charleston, SC. He had gone to the eye doctor before the photoshoot, and unfortunately, one eye was swollen.

Since I knew I wouldn't see him for a long time, I was determined to figure out what to do. As always, luck was on my side, and a pair of Janis Joplin-looking glasses were on my shelf in my studio. They had been there for well over ten years, but I never could find the right painting to use it for. What started as a lighthearted concept to cover up a swollen eye immediately changed into something much more emotionally powerful when I listened to one of my favorite songs, "Daniel" by Elton John. When I looked up at his portrait, I started to cry uncontrollably.

The lyrics speak of an individual traveling on a plane to Spain and not returning. His friend, watching the plane depart, asks himself, "Daniel, my brother, Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal?" The song symbolizes my relationship with my brother and all that we've been through as kids. I was very sad when he left to go to Charleston.