Artist Wendy Allen is continuously asked why she paints Abraham Lincoln. “It’s never
easy to explain a passion” says Allen. “For me, his face is familiar and comforting. It
symbolizes humanity, wisdom, and moral courage. And he remains one of the few
historical figures we can all admire—self-taught, self-made. My hope is that, by
transforming the black-and-white and sepia images of the past, I can keep Lincoln
within our grasp. I want people to see him as a modern figure, still powerful and
relevant and with much to teach us. He never ceases to inspire me.”
Wendy grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She studied political science at The
University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. She had a professional career in children’s
educational publishing for more than twenty years, most recently as a Creative
Director of Interactive Media for a major children’s publisher. But she left publishing
to pursue her painting career full time. She has lived in Pennsylvania, California, and
currently in New Milford, Connecticut.
"I paint the face of Abraham Lincoln. Whenever I give a talk and have
an exhibit I am always asked, “Why Lincoln?”.
Simply put, I am in search of the
exact location of America’s soul.
On May 30, 2009, there will be a ceremony to rededicate the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Part of the proposal
is to gather all of the “birthday cards” and stitch them together on that day in a national gesture of unity and gratitude to
honor for our great sixteenth president.
The birthday “card” will then be archived with the intention that it be displayed again in 100 years, when future generations
celebrate the Lincoln Tricentennial.