Bearing Witness: A Portrait of Amanda Gorman
I have long admired women who stand firmly in their convictions. Women who speak clearly, hold their ground, and remain thoughtful in difficult moments. That admiration is what led me to begin a portrait of Amanda Gorman. I wanted to honor her presence in a way that felt grounded and intentional. I named the piece 'Bearing Witness'.
In Her Iconic Colors.
From the beginning, I knew I wanted to depict her in the iconic yellow jacket and red headband that she wore at President Biden’s inauguration. That visual of her is instantly recognizable. The colors are bright and bold, and the moment is part of our collective memory.
Choosing her iconic colors made it immediately clear who she is, but I did not want to recreate the original scene exactly. I preferred her facing forward, looking directly at us. I studied reference images where she meets the camera head-on. In this portrait, her gaze is steady and direct. Gentle, but firm. The feeling I wanted was simple... that she is speaking directly to us, as her fully authentic self, and we are meant to listen.
Synchronicity of the Moment
Two days after I began her portrait, on January 24, Alex Pretti was tragically killed. Fewer than 48 hours later, Amanda Gorman’s poem in response to his death came across my newsfeed.
The timing gave me chills.
I had already begun building her portrait, drawn to her presence and voice, and then, before I knew it, her words suddenly appeared, almost as if they were asking to be held in the same space. I knew right away that painting and the poem belonged together.
That sense of synchronicity is part of what gives this piece even more meaning.
For Alex Pretti
For Alex Jeffrey Pretti
Murdered by I.C.E. January 24, 2026
by Amanda Gorman
Blending Her Image & Voice
Including Amanda Gorman’s poem directly in the portrait was a natural decision. Her words are moving and powerful. They are an expression of her character, her courage, and her commitment to humanity. Weaving the poem into the surface of the painting felt like honoring the full scope of her voice, not just her likeness.
This work follows a portrait I created of Ruth Bader Ginsburg several months earlier. That piece emerged during a time when the news felt heavy and unrelenting, when fairness and justice felt increasingly fragile. Both portraits were made as responses to a shared human feeling: the desire to be compassionate, courageous and grounded in truth.
Honoring Core Values
Much of my commissioned portrait work focuses on preserving what is meaningful to families and individuals. I create paintings that reflect love, memory, connection, and the values people want to pass forward.
My personal work grows from that same foundation. It reflects the people and qualities that move me. Creating Bearing Witness was a way to honor Amanda Gorman not only for her talent as a poet, but for the clarity and care she brings to her words. Her poem is powerful because it speaks directly and honestly. Including it in the painting felt like honoring that strength.
Where to find Bobbie's Work
The portrait Bearing Witness is currently on view at the Salem Arts Association Gallery at 88 Wharf Street in Salem, Massachusetts, located next to Finz Restaurant at Pickering Wharf. The opening reception was held on February 6, and the exhibition runs through March 14, 2026. Fine art prints of the painted portrait are also on my website. Click below to learn more.
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Bobbie Bush is a Massachusetts-based portrait artist creating custom portrait painting commissions to honor, celebrate and commemorate loved ones. Serving nationally. Since 1996.