Opportunity to donate civilian portrait
 

Is there someone who would be interested in donating a portrait of one of the 9/11 civilians who died?

I have completed my Firefighter portrait and have given it to his widow, as part of the 9/11 Portrait Project that has been mentioned previously on this Forum. It was a tremendously moving experience. Afterwards I was contacted by a woman who lost her only daughter in the tragedy.

Her story is heart-rending. The mother and daughter were truly best friends. I know that a posthumous portrait can go a long way toward healing someone's grief and I thought I would ask Forum participants if someone would like to donate a painting to this woman, of her daughter.

Please contact me via e-mail if interested and I can give you the details.

Thanks!

The timing on this is unfortunate. Marie Therese Heumesser on my site is very interested in contributing by doing a portrait. She was just in New York in the hopes of making contact with the family of one of the victims. It sounded like she had already been assigned a family with Wendy's 9/11 Portrait Project, but with the anniversary so close, the family apparently wasn't emotionally able. Even if she's been assigned a family, her enthusiasm for this is such that you might consider contacting her. Even if she's been assigned a family, maybe she would be willing to do two portraits.

I guess Wendy's project is just for firefighter's families?

Thanks, Cynthia. I will contact her. At this point, Wendy's project is just for firefighters.

Michele,

This is truly a wonderful thing for the families; and thankful that Margaret and Wendy had such a great idea. I know well how a posthumous portrait can heal. I've done a few. I have my contact in New York, and the portrait of her husband is in its early umber stages now.

I have now been contacted by someone here about two firefighters, who were also in the 9/11 from my state of West Virginia, and about doing a posthumous portrait of them. I am looking into it.

Each time I have spoken to the widow in New York, I get goose bumps again as it touches her so that we as artists are involved in this and I feel ever so honored to be part of it myself.

Would you mind if I ask you, Michele, whether you presented it with a frame or what is a good appropriate way to handle that? Locally, when I am commissioned, I ask whether they wish me to frame it and we work it out. I think they present so well with one. I realize that it is up to each individual but wondered about the idea.

Thanks,
Patt

I did include a frame with the portrait.

Oh, my! I've just seen your "Tribute in Light: Portrait of Douglas Oelschlager, F.D.N.Y." and it is truly wonderful! Count me in for any help you may need.

Julianne

Here's an update on the status of the portrait for the mother who lost her daughter on 9/11. I have made arrangements for one of the artists who e-mailed me to work with the mother. Thank you to the many artists who contacted me to offer their services!