I began painting today's immigrants and refugees and sharing their stories in 2017, driven by the hateful rhetoric from elected officials who labeled those seeking to come here as criminals. Having lived and worked in a diverse section of New York City filled with immigrants, I knew this portrayal was far from the truth. My goal was to interview and paint immigrants from various continents, religions, and cultures to reveal their true character and contributions to America and the world.
Some have asked if I was upset when, a few years later, former President George W. Bush began painting portraits of immigrants and writing about them. My answer is no; in fact, I am delighted that someone with his influence has joined this important cause. It will take countless images, stories, and voices to counteract the hatred that has been fueled in recent years.
This is one effort to remind America that today’s immigrants share the same aspirations as the generations who founded and built this republic: the desire to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones. In the immigrants I’ve interviewed and painted, you'll find the same grit, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit that has always driven America forward. This energy and determination continuously renews our country. While we face challenges, it is the American spirit to help one another and confront them together. These immigrants embody that spirit.
Some have asked if I was upset when, a few years later, former President George W. Bush began painting portraits of immigrants and writing about them. My answer is no; in fact, I am delighted that someone with his influence has joined this important cause. It will take countless images, stories, and voices to counteract the hatred that has been fueled in recent years.
This is one effort to remind America that today’s immigrants share the same aspirations as the generations who founded and built this republic: the desire to create a better life for themselves and their loved ones. In the immigrants I’ve interviewed and painted, you'll find the same grit, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit that has always driven America forward. This energy and determination continuously renews our country. While we face challenges, it is the American spirit to help one another and confront them together. These immigrants embody that spirit.
"FINALLY"
This young man from Ghana had said for months that he would sit for me, yet when I said that I was ready to do the interview and sketches, he demurred.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “What happened?” "I don’t know, Betsy,” he said, with a pained look on his face. “I don’t think I can do this. I just don’t want to stand out.”
“Why not? You’re a citizen.” He had told me before how proud he had been to apply for citizenship, learn all about our system of government while studying for the exam, pass the test, and hold up his right hand to be sworn in as a full-fledged United States citizen.
“Your wife has a green card; you even got a passport for your baby! You do everything right. You are perfectly legal: a taxpayer, a homeowner — nobody can deport you.” But he grimaced even more.
“You aren’t selling drugs on the side or anything else I don’t know about, are you?” He spluttered into giggles and I laughed, too. A ridiculous thought — he’s definitely a ‘by the book’ kind of guy.
Trained as a tailor, he’d won the visa lottery years ago, and came to New York City where he first worked in the garment world in what he described as a sweat shop. He hated it, quit, and got a job as a doorman, then concierge, in a large, luxury apartment building where a good friend of mine lives. He’s beloved by everyone there. He’s intelligent, charming, and cheerful, and his clothes are always immaculately tailored and pressed.
“So, what is it?” I asked. “I read and watch the news, Betsy — you know, the BBC and CNN International — and I know what’s being said and what’s going on here. I have a lot of friends and go to many different church meetings and everyone’s talking about it. My best friend, from Guinea, he has a green card and wanted to go home to see his family, but his lawyer told him not to go now, because he might have a hard time getting back into the country.”
“But he has a green card. He should be fine,” I said, repeating what immigration lawyers have told me. He shook his head. “Lawyers are telling us to watch out. This government is trying to build cases against people like us — anything to find any excuse to deport us.”
“Like us? What do you mean — who is us?” He said, “anyone with black or brown skin,” and I shook my head. “I am so, so sorry to hear that.” Then I asked if he would let me take one quick photo to use in a different kind of painting — not a recognizable portrait. “Just show me how you feel,” I said, promising not to use his name.
This is that painting.
(December 2018)
This young man from Ghana had said for months that he would sit for me, yet when I said that I was ready to do the interview and sketches, he demurred.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. “What happened?” "I don’t know, Betsy,” he said, with a pained look on his face. “I don’t think I can do this. I just don’t want to stand out.”
“Why not? You’re a citizen.” He had told me before how proud he had been to apply for citizenship, learn all about our system of government while studying for the exam, pass the test, and hold up his right hand to be sworn in as a full-fledged United States citizen.
“Your wife has a green card; you even got a passport for your baby! You do everything right. You are perfectly legal: a taxpayer, a homeowner — nobody can deport you.” But he grimaced even more.
“You aren’t selling drugs on the side or anything else I don’t know about, are you?” He spluttered into giggles and I laughed, too. A ridiculous thought — he’s definitely a ‘by the book’ kind of guy.
Trained as a tailor, he’d won the visa lottery years ago, and came to New York City where he first worked in the garment world in what he described as a sweat shop. He hated it, quit, and got a job as a doorman, then concierge, in a large, luxury apartment building where a good friend of mine lives. He’s beloved by everyone there. He’s intelligent, charming, and cheerful, and his clothes are always immaculately tailored and pressed.
“So, what is it?” I asked. “I read and watch the news, Betsy — you know, the BBC and CNN International — and I know what’s being said and what’s going on here. I have a lot of friends and go to many different church meetings and everyone’s talking about it. My best friend, from Guinea, he has a green card and wanted to go home to see his family, but his lawyer told him not to go now, because he might have a hard time getting back into the country.”
“But he has a green card. He should be fine,” I said, repeating what immigration lawyers have told me. He shook his head. “Lawyers are telling us to watch out. This government is trying to build cases against people like us — anything to find any excuse to deport us.”
“Like us? What do you mean — who is us?” He said, “anyone with black or brown skin,” and I shook my head. “I am so, so sorry to hear that.” Then I asked if he would let me take one quick photo to use in a different kind of painting — not a recognizable portrait. “Just show me how you feel,” I said, promising not to use his name.
This is that painting.
(December 2018)