Still, Still with Thee
48 x 48 – private collection
I was inspired by a hauntingly beautiful poem, penned by Abolitionist, Harriet Beecher Stowe – but the painting is a tribute to Harriet Tubman, who escaped slavery, but chose to go back and lead others out.
Still, Still with thee
When purple morning breaketh;
When the bird waketh;
and the darkness flee.
Fairer than morning.
Lovelier than the daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness.
I am with thee.
The painting evolved… Below is one of the earlier stages of the painting still on the easel… It didn’t reflect the austerity of the travelers, or at least as I imagined it. If you have a chance, watch the movie Harriet, about Ms. Tubman. So very moving.
