Painting for Gresham School Auction

Hello fellow Mondayers!

Okay I took last week off.  Okay I “cheated” two weeks ago by sharing  www.stumptownblogger.com/   For all you people starved for glorious content and unending entertainment - I apologize in advance. 

Today I'm sharing my latest project which is a painting of West Gresham Elementary School in Gresham, Oregon www.westgresham.gresham.k12.  This is a neighborhood school built in the mid 1920s.  I have a friend whose son is a student here and she asked if I would donate a painting for their school auction.  Knowing how public schools are challenged for resources and remembering my own daughter’s school auction - I happily said yes.   

My goal is to celebrate the history of West Gresham Elementary. Not many schools this age are still in their original buildings and I found this fact strangely familiar.   My daughter’s grade school, Alameda Elementary  www.pps.k12.or.us/alameda was also built in the 1920's.  I created a painting similar to this for the Alameda School Auction about a decade ago.  Of course my wife, Kevan, was the event co-chair along with Amy Hollands and Pam Terry for two years running.  I was a “willing” participant.  Those who remember the painting will not be surprised at the theme.  Again I'm using vintage cars to depict time and history.  I've added assorted pictures of famous Americans including all fifteen US Presidents since this school opened.  Can you find them?   

I regard this project as an opportunity to celebrate neighborhood public schools.  I also want to take this opportunity to honor MY volunteer heroes -  Amy, Pam and Kevan.  Their herculean efforts will never be forgotten by the Alameda parents of some 650 kids circa 2003 and 2004.  Well done… still.