American Dream

It bothers me that so many portraits of men are large, stately portraits of politicians, bankers, donors.…. men with titles and deep pockets. I had the thought: "What about the people who are striving and struggling for greatness?"

This painting of my husband, an immigrant, is about that struggle: the struggle to be accepted in a new society, in a good school, in a good career. The struggle for a good life, which so many share.

I hope going forward that in the United States and other countries, we don't ask others to shed their identity in order to be accepted. I hope we can learn to value different cultures, languages, and world views. Most of all, I hope we learn to help others succeed, especially those who may not have great opportunities on their own.