Preserving an almost-lost legacy: The portrait of Sergeant KennyLowman

Portraits by ShawnaLee proudly presents:

"Sgt. Kenny Lowman, 1936-2020"

16x12" Charcoal with soft pastel
©ShawnaLee Waterbury Kwashnak 2022

Sergeant of the Stamford Police Department circa 1950's - 1970's

This is a very, very special portrait honoring a late Stamford Police Sergeant who tragically lost his life in a car accident. After hours of research from his loving wife, (who spent nearly a year in a coma after the accident herself), the Stamford Police Department, it was discovered that during his many years serving, there wasn't a single photograph of him in uniform/duty on record.

Not one.

Commissioned by Sherry in April 2022, this portrait captures Sherry Lowman's beloved and lost too soon husband Kenneth F. Lowman, known to everyone fondly as "Kenny". Sherry Lowman, with her wonderful and supportive cousin Bobby Konitsherk, came to pick up the portrait in anticipation of sharing it with Kenny's upcoming memorial service sponsored by the Stamford Police Department this summer. Kenny died in a horrific car accident on November 24th, 2020.

"to ShawnaLee: The portrait is so beautiful, .... you are truly the best. I have never seen such a portrait that catches like what you did. His eyes are so perfect when i look at it is like he is looking right into my eyes. You captured his face so perfect right down to the little dims on his face. I can't stop looking at him. In my life I have never met or seen any one like you. .... you will be in my heart forever" Sherry Lowman July 2022

"I am so thankful to be able to create this special moment of honoring a loved one - there just aren't words to describe what my pencils are able to capture! This portrait means the world to Sherry, her cousin Bobby, and everyone that knew Kenny. It will also stand as a historic representation of Kenny's service to the Stamford Police Department, and also represents a historic world-wide covid19 Pandemic portrait." ShawnaLee Waterbury-Kwashnak July 2022

Kenny is among a small group of Sergeants since the Stamford Historical Society's last record on their website, and his name is only listed on another Police Sergeant record.

Now, with countless hours of hard work, a collection of family photos & artifacts, and artistic skills I have honed over my entire life, (with Thanks to my time being a member of CSOPA and my portrait friends (Jeanine Careri Jackson) who are always lifting each other up with caring education) this portrait will now stand as Kenny's dedication to Stamford, his wife, his friends, his family and all of the PAL children he loved, nurtured, and mentored.

Of coincidental interest, Kenny and I share the same Valentine's day birthday, and I am a 12th generation direct descendant of an early settler of Stamford CT, John Waterbury.

ShawnaLee Waterbury Kwashnak, professional portrait artist in Middlebury CT, has been drawing and painting since she was very small. ShawnaLee specializes in Charcoals and Oils and loves creating portraits of pets or people. ShawnaLee teaches art lessons throughout the year. Notable works recently include the late Grand Master Cheezic from Cheezic Tang Soo Do, A Family Portrait for a survivor of the Holocaust in nearby Southbury and portraits of rescued cats from whiskers Pet Rescue in Southbury.

ShawnaLee is a second time recipient of a grant from the CT Office for the Arts for teaching Pandemic portraiture to Ct youth. Her current class will have a published book this fall and an unprecedented virtual reception in September. Upcoming events include teaching portraiture to youth (10/15/22) at #FF22 Faces and Figures juried exhibit in Stamford with The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists and Loft Artists Association. Also coming up in September are a few Butterfly Watercolor classes at the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown CT.

For more information:

artist@shawnalee.com www.shawnalee.com

Stamford Historical Society Stamford Police Association Stamford (CT) Police Retirees

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