This painting is of a little girl I met while doing an artist-in-residence at Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas. It is created based on some studies I did of her. She caught my attention because she was so small, sweet, and beautiful - and kind've an old soul. I love painting figures and children in particular.

It is one of the paintings I submitted to an invitational show in which I am participating. The show is a group show of local artists and it is in celebration of the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Artists were asked to submit art that in some way was inspired by Lincoln - his words, deeds, etc...While President Lincoln did many great things, I think his freeing of the slaves, or his attempt at this, was his greatest act. And while his personal sentiments about slavery are debated, in signing the Emancipation Proclamation which led to the 13th ammendment, he was doing what was right by our constitution and by our Creator.

I wanted to celebrate those individuals and their descendants.

Let me know what you think.

This painting is an 11" x 14", oil on canvas. It is unframed but I do have a great frame available if you are interested.

You can contact me if you are interested in purchasing this painting or it is also available in an on-line auction at E-bay.

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years".

Abraham Lincoln

Amen to that!

Helen

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