Portraits from the 9/11 tragedy

[Michele Rushworth]

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!

[Cynthia Daniel]

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?

[Michele Rushworth]

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

[Patt Legg]

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

[Michele Rushworth]

I did include a frame with the portrait.

[Julianne Lowman]

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

[Michele Rushworth]

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!