August 7, 2006 – 1:38 am
The Big Night (Continued)

With all the excitement -and so many people to talk to- it was a bit difficult to properly consider the art of the Portrait Competition on opening night.  Rosemarie and I are planning a return visit to do just that.  During the show however, I was drawn to three paintings, not only because they are beautifully painted, but because of the ideas they convey.

Shayla by Doug Auld.  A quote from Doug’s artist statement: “Shayla is a 14-year-old burn survivor. She was tragically burned when a cigarette lighter was accidentally dropped on her bed, setting her sheets on fire… She lost her fingers in the fire, yet manages to play the piano and braid hair… Shayla has had to learn to grow up different than her classmates and friends. She has had to endure being made fun of and stared at by the other kids. She has also had to endure the pain and trauma of her burns and recovery from her injuries. Shayla has a sense of grace and wisdom beyond her years. I see her as beautiful.”

Portrait of George Guillaume by Kris Kuksi.  A quote from Kris’s artist statement:“George Guillaume is a homeless man seen by many but known to few in our community… George is a humble man, always willing to help me in the studio. He has never accepted anything in return (for a portrait sitting), though he is fond of chocolate chip cookies… George truly feels God provides for him despite his woes and lack of personal possessions. I consider George a genuine individual with passion for life and compassion for those he encounters. To many, George may seem easily dispensable to society. I consider him a close friend.”

Glory by Tina Mion.  A quote from Tina’s artist statement: "I live in the small desert town of Winslow, Arizona. Brenda Hayes—left—is a cashier at the local Wal-mart. In the evenings she works at the prison. Her best friend and sister, Mary Alice, has a one-chair nail and hair salon. The salon chair is covered with fabric depicting the monuments of Washington, D.C., though they have never been to them. On their time off Brenda and Mary Alice sing, mostly gospel; they believe their voices are a gift from God. Whenever there are special —occasions weddings, funerals—the Hayes sisters are asked to sing. They always sing for free… I submitted Glory because I wanted to see Brenda and Mary Alice Hayes alongside America's icons at the National Portrait Gallery, representing generosity and kindness, unsung and unselfish.”

The Academy Awards, the Emmy Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Football Hall of Fame, the National book Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom …  America regularly honors, with glamorous fame and extravagant fortune, its great people and noble citizens.  However important this may be, it is only part of the story of America. To ignore the plight of individuals who could be described as average, working poor, poor, homeless, mentally ill, institutionalized or disabled, while celebrating only the rich, famous and powerful is to tell a cleaned and sanitized version of American history.  That’s why I like these three paintings, described above, that are currently on display at the National Portrait Gallery.  They portray, in a sensitive and thoughtful way, three Americans that, if you looked at their resumes only, may not meet the conventional definition of “significant.”  Yet they all make their own unique contribution to the fabric of America.  For me it all boils down to one very simple concept: every human being is important.  Every human being is important.

My website: www.davidmlenz.com