Hope

The street scene is one of the hopeful future of Hazelwood, with clean, open, thriving businesses. I searched my mind for the best icon for the future and children was the answer for me. I wanted to include a child as this look into new possibilities, but never did I intend on making a racial statement. I received comments from some passerbys who actually said, “You’re gonna paint a white kid too aren’t you!?” I had little patience for these individuals, and mostly responded with “Does it matter?” The truth is, it doesn’t. My aim was a child, not a black, white purple child. I even included variations in the hair, skin and eyes to say this. My youngest son was, loosely, my model.