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Little Muse
Charcoal on Grey Tone Paper
18 x 24 inches
Completed in 2024
Portrait Created at 14 Years Old
Revised Background at 16 Years Old
Little Muse
Giselle fell In Love with Realism
Giselle drew this portrait when she was only 14 years old; this was the point in her life when she fell in love with realism. She was fascinated with the idea of capturing a special moment, and being able to revisit that moment again. The most special moments can be brief, but capturing them in her art ensures they are never forgotten.
Giselle spent many months developing Little Muse, carefully rendering her sister’s expression, hair, clothing, and surroundings with remarkable attention to detail. The portrait centers on her sister’s captivating gaze, which Giselle believed always seemed to hold a story. Even at 14, she understood that a portrait could reveal more than what is visible on the surface.
Little Muse
A Charcoal Portrait By
Giselle V. Brown
International Recognition
From a Personal Portrait to a Recognized Work of Art
Congressional Art Competition
Little Muse was selected as the 2024 Congressional Art Competition Winner for New Jersey District 1. The portrait was exhibited inside the Cannon Tunnel at the U.S. Capitol Building from 2024 to 2025. Read More
Art Renewal Center International ARC Salon
Little Muse received a high placement award in The 17th International ARC Salon Competition; an influential international competition for Contemporary Realism. Read More
Sotheby’s New York Exhibition
Little Muse was curated into the combined 17th/18th International ARC Salon Exhibition at Sotheby’s New York in 2026. Read More
Lunar Codex
Little Muse was selected for inclusion in the Lunar Codex, a cultural archive preserving creative works on the Moon as part of a historic time capsule project. Read More
Artist’s Reflection
More Than a Portrait
Giselle first created Little Muse when she was 14, and reworked the background at 16; however, she still did not think it was “nice enough to be framed.” Since then, the piece has received national and international recognition from respected and influential art competitions including The Congressional Art Competition, and The 17th International ARC Salon Competition. It’s been exhibited at the U.S. Capitol Building (inside the Cannon Tunnel), Sotheby’s New York, and soon, it’s image will act as a cultural artifact in a time capsule known as the Lunar Codex, and be sent to the moon! What began as a personal charcoal portrait of her sister became one of the works that helped define Giselle’s path as an artist.
