One of the greatest honors
One of the greatest honors a teacher can receive is to see themselves through the eyes of their students.
This portrait of my grandfather, Professor Leon Renfro, was created by one of his Texas Southern University students, “A. Thibodeaux,” whose name is inscribed on the artwork itself. That makes this piece even more meaningful. It is not simply a portrait. It is a tribute from a student to a professor who left a lasting impression.
Looking at this painting reminds me of the incredible skill artists possessed long before digital technology. Every brushstroke began as an idea in the artist’s mind and traveled to the canvas through the artist’s hand. There were no erase buttons, no “undo” feature, and no shortcuts. Just years of practice, careful observation, and the confidence to make every mark count.
What makes this even more special is knowing that so many of my grandfather’s students created portraits of him over the years. That says so much about the love, respect, and admiration they had for him as both an artist and a professor. Their work became more than assignments. It became a lasting tribute to the teacher who inspired them.
We don’t just hang the art. We carry it on.
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