The Honorable in Deep Emerald: A Portrait of Ketanji Brown Jackson
- Aja Moon
- Sep 20
- 2 min read
"The Honorable in Deep Emerald," is a 36x48 acrylic on canvas portrait of Ketanji Brown Jackson, the First Black Female Supreme Court Judge of the United States. It is the first echo of a collection entitled "creatHER: constructing the Black Woman," where I seek to unveil the radiant spirit of Black femininity through a symphony of vibrant color.
The Art
My artistic journey with this piece was an act of faith. I had never attempted a canvas of this scale, nor had I painted in a style so bold. I was "building as I climb," each brushstroke a prayer for grace. The greatest challenge was not the size, but the alchemy of color itself. Mixing six unique shades of green for the portrait, I found myself constantly chasing the same hue, a delicate dance of remixing and re-matching that felt like a test of patience and resolve.
When I paint, I get completely lost. I'm never truly "there." The act of creation gives my hands something to do so my mind can slip away, freeing me to move with pure, unthinking intuition. The moment of completion was a release—a single, final brushstroke that brought me to tears.
The choice of a single, vibrant color was born from my heart. Ketanji Brown Jackson’s face seemed to sing a song, and I knew she belonged in a color that symbolized renewal. Positioned at the center of a seven-piece collection, her portrait rests in the space of the heart chakra, a profound emerald green. Her journey to the Supreme Court was a powerful signal of hope, a new chapter for our nation.
The Humanity
Her public journey became a mirror for my own. While painting, I watched her every move as she navigated the path to the Supreme Court. I was captivated by her emotional resolve, the raw strength held in her silence. Watching her shed tears during the hearings shredded me. I could feel the swirl of emotion—the desire to cry out, but the immense discipline not to. Her grace under fire showed me that a fortress of power can be built in quiet stillness.
The Reflection
Since completing "The Honorable in Deep Emerald," I have a quiet knowing. I know that if I simply try, I can do anything. I've shed the notion that if you don't succeed, you've failed. Instead, I've learned that you've simply gained enough knowledge to try again. This piece taught me that while there are shortcuts, the longest path is the one that teaches you the most. I hold a deep honor for the process, for the sacred act of learning as I go, for it is both my greatest test and my greatest joy.
This painting is a testament to the power of resilience. The original is available for acquisition, and limited edition prints are now available.
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