Gisela Charfauros McDaniel’s practice is rooted in care and healing. As she sketches the people she later paints, she speaks with them about their lives and listens to their difficult and sometimes traumatic memories. She later allows her sitters to title her paintings. She says, “It’s an honor to go into someone’s home, and it’s special to invite viewers in.” Here, she lovingly depicts her mother, Profesót (Professor) Antoinette CHarfauros McDaniel, in her lush living room in suburban Ohio. Mother and daughter share pieces of guma’, or home, through the jewelry, clothing, and trinkets embedded, including elements of the mwarmwar, or Micronesian flower crown, that the Profesót wears. The title references the lihenden, or legend, of Sirena, meant to inspire obedience in children. Using tiningo’ (wisdom), the Profesót sees wisdom in disobedience, in choosing a different path.

---