Art Prize one more day

Well there is one more day of art prize and I am ready for it to end. I find myself very exhausted. For the last four days I have been fighting Hives and inflammation from an allergic reaction to medication. I look quite puffy in this picture. One day and I can rest.

Art Prize 2011, Casualties

I feel honored to have painted the portraits of the 2010 Michigan Casualties in the war of Afghanistan and Iraq. I have bee an artist now for only four years and I know little about how the art world works. I paint to express my feelings about things. I was a social worker for over 25 years and I miss the career that let me help others and make change were change was possible. I have gained entrance into Art Prize for the last three years. My art is not big nor gaudy. My art is a simple statement about the projects I have taken on. Honoring these Casualties must not be mistaken for a cheap attempt to make some money. For me Art Prize is an opportunity for me to continue my expressions of concerns without the voice I once had to rely on. I do get frustrated with the lack of equal opportunity in this contest. I also realize that I was able to reach more people with Art prize than without it. These are my thoughts about this controversial subject that is so news worthy these days.

Sincerely,

Elaine Hoogeboom

Art Prize 2011 Causualties

I will be at Art Prize 2011 from 5:00 to 9:00 today. Come on down and pay your respect to " Our Boys." Watercolor pencil Paintings on Canvas. Hope to see you there.