Laurence Cheatham is a New York based artist and father. With the stroke of colored pencils and markers, he has immortalized people like Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, Cardi B, Frida Kahlo, Prince, Ellen and countless others. But nothing compares to the recent masterpiece he created — a painting of his 9-year-old daughter, Alyssa, as Mona Lisa.
According to Cheatham, who also goes by “Sketch,” he secretly worked on the painting as a way to encourage his daughter’s artistic aspirations.
“In recent years she expressed an interest in creating art. Her favorite things to draw includes portraits… A few months ago she mentioned how she wanted to draw Mona Lisa and she expressed how nervous she was because of the detail it involves, but I encouraged her to try it anyway. Shortly after that conversation I began brainstorming unbeknownst to her, and this is what I came up with as a surprise. Little does she know this is just one of many.”
Cheatham’s Instagram page features his work of numerous celebrities throughout the years, however it now appears as though his daughter is quickly becoming his main muse.
And the father of the year award goes to…
We can’t wait to see the other masterpieces you’ll create!