Tribute to Sam Berns - Part II

I posted the previous version months ago, but I felt that it turned out too flat and lifeless overall, so I had to get back to him and try again.

Sam Berns was a great little boy, full of energy and plans for his future. He was born with a disease called "Progeria", which is the premature aging of the body. About the Progeria kids, their brains are absolutely intact, but their bodies deteriorate fast. They don't grow much, but they are incredible, positive people most of the time. Their life expectancy is only 13 years. I believe Sam passed away when he was only 17, just a few months after his inspiring TED talk (you should search on Youtube. Totally worth it).

As usual, this one was started during my online LIVE class last year and everything was hand sculpted and hand painted in ZBrush using HD geometry. As for the subject, even though I consume some pop culture, pop culture does not inspire me to create art that much. I tend to model characters and people who mean something deeper to me. Who had inspired me somehow. In the case of Sam, I was first fascinated with his body proportions and facial features, from a sculpting stand point. But as I got to know more about him, I liked him more and more for his personality. He made a mark in people's lives by speaking publicly about people like himself, who had everything against them, but managed to be resilient and positive in the face of adversity, a lesson that we should all take in consideration in today's climate. It's a matter of changing perspectives and facing our fears without hiding. Sam was an incredibly brave kid.

Sam, if you are seeing this from where you are, this is for you, buddy. Well done being a light in this world, even if briefly. You matter.

-Kris