Richard Graves

Abingdon, VA

Living and working in a rural Appalachian art community is inextricably linked to the music and culture of storytelling that John Prine represents. When Covid hit and it looked like Prine’s health was improving, he felt like a symbol for the resilience of our community.

My portraits always have an element of isolation in them, and when Prine passed the next day, the piece also came to represent the mourning in the arts community and the duality of the Covid times.

- Richard
Portrait of John Prine