I came upon this scene late one night while my son, Oliver, was home on winter break from college. Seeing him in his bed aglow from the light of his laptop, his bare chest adorned with tattoos, was indeed a striking image, and one that reflected back to me a contemporary icon of a twenty-year-old. Painting my son’s portrait from year to year, in my attempt to capture his changing demeanor, has been an ongoing endeavor for over twenty years—thus far. This time-based project is entitled “A child is a guest in the house, to be loved and respected—never possessed…” J. D. Salinger.