On Seeing, A Journal. #532
Growing UP: Twins, Michelle and Wendy Duran
June 27, 2023
I have studied over 200 children from childhood into their 20’s. I began with some when they were newborns; others, as is the case with Michelle and Wendy Duran started about the time they could read and write. For all of them I made annual studio portraits and asked them to write answers to a series of questions, a kind of diary about their lives, their feelings, their hopes, their regrets.
Michelle and Wendy have fascinating life “stories” and challenges. I’ve always enjoyed seeing them, and felt a special connection to each.
10 years and 31 years old; Michelle on left
10 years
12 years
13 years
14 years
16 years
17 years
18 years
18 years
20 years
21 years
22 years
24 years
30 years. Michelle, with baby Jojo (8 months) and her mother.
31 years
On left, Michelle and her baby Jojo, two years and two weeks old. Wendy on right, and her baby Julianna, two years and one week old.
The “Growing Up” Project:
I am interested in everything about human development, fascinated by maturation, growth, emotional and physical development. this exploration has been a major 30 year odyssey, an adventure that has yielded riches beyond my initial imagining.
Permission was signed by the parents of each and every child every year, and the participants themselves once they turned 18. In addition, we have now sent copies of all of their original writings and edited photographs to the participants for whom I have finished all my editing and have received full permission from that group to publish and post.
