|
 The
mural features the bust of a presidential Abraham Lincoln with a
symbolic background that speaks to the unity of our country, our
fierce independence, and the meager beginnings of the 16th president
of the United States.
The mural is being done by Stephen Whitman and Bruce Greig, working
from a concept designed by Rebecca Whitman.
On Saturday morning Kevin and Peggy Bateman, Lincoln
Alderman and City Clerk respectively stopped by to visit with the
Whitman’s and get their take on the project. Alderman David Sanders
had been out earlier in the morning and had said that the couple was
excited to talk about what they are doing in Lincoln Illinois.
Stephen Whitman said that this was a work that he had not ever
imagined he would be doing. He said he has always been a man of
faith, and believes that God’s hand is in everything. He explained
that while his wife Rebecca has always been interested in Abraham
Lincoln, he personally had not known that much about the man. Then
suddenly Abraham Lincoln came into his mind and into his dreams. He
said one night he dreamed about the 16th president, and he didn’t
know why. He said there was no logical reason whatsoever.
However, soon after that he heard from Lucky Singh
who was seeking proposals for a mural to be painted on the front of
his building, depicting none other than Abraham Lincoln. Stephen
Whitman said he was shocked and he called his wife Rebecca and said,
you remember that dream I told you about? Well you’re not going to
believe this but it’s true. He explained to his wife that he had
gotten a call about painting a mural of Abraham Lincoln a town
called Lincoln Illinois.
The Whitmans are from the state of New York, and had no knowledge of
Lincoln Illinois or how significant and endeared Abraham Lincoln is
to the town. But they did know that somehow and for some reason, God
was preparing Stephen for that call, and he knew he had to answer.
The Whitmans run Stilettos Fine Art Studio in in Johnson City New
York. Stilettos is the parent company for Whitman and Greig Murals.
Bruce Greig, the second part of the equation, is from New Zealand,
but has come to America where he is enjoying success as an artist
and a muralist.
Whitman said when Singh reached out to him, he said that he wanted
something that reflected Abraham Lincoln and would be uplifting to
the community. Something that the entire community could be proud
of, and something that would draw the attention of those coming into
the community from the interstate.
With that as the inspiration, Rebecca Whitman started
working on a small inspiration piece that featured President Lincoln
in the foreground. Behind him a furling United States flag with the
stars and stripes done in great detail. The flag, Stephan said spoke
to the unity of the country, saying that during Lincoln’s time,
unity was in question, but prevailed in the end and remains today.
On the far other side is the American Bald Eagle, our nations symbol
for strength. The landscape is a representation of the Illinois soil
where Lincoln lived the greater part of his life. While the mural is
not yet finished, when it is there will be a log cabin and also a
silhouette of the circuit riding Abraham Lincoln who traveled
throughout this region when he was serving as a circuit attorney in
Illinois.
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Stephen Whitman commented on the work of artist Bruce
Greig saying that he is remarkably talented. One of Whitmans
favorite parts of the mural is the face of Lincoln and he said that
Greig has done such a fine job, that the face of Lincoln and his sad
but piercing eyes follow one from every angle. He noted that
regardless of where you are in the parking lot, you feel that
Lincoln is looking directly at you.
The Whitmans said as soon as the mural started taking
shape, and people could see what it was, the traffic has been almost
non stop. Stephen said people pull up in their cars and just sit and
watch, they get out and come speak with the artists, and some have
gotten teary over the piece, and some have just wanted to give the
workers a big hug.
Stephen said, “It’s awesome! Of all the mural’s we have ever done,
we have never had this kind of public interest and affection.”
The Whitmans do not have a timeline for when the project will be
completely finished. They said there are a lot of factors that play
into being able to work on the project, and there is also this
artist drive that no matter how long they work on it, they will
always see one or two little things that could be better.
Whitman said that he and Greig start with painting in
a flat layout of the mural, then they go back and start working on
the fine details that will make it great. Some of the details he
mentioned can be seen clearly in the stars of the flag and the
realistic folds of the cloth as though waving in a breeze. He said
that details are underway on the Lincoln face and the eagle, but
both are yet to be completed. The landscape is still just roughed in
and there will be quite a bit of work yet to do there.
Regardless of how much there is left to do, what is there now is
making an impression on the community, and Kevin Bateman said that
the one person to recognize for that is Lucky Singh. He said that
the privately commissioned work was Lucky’s desire and he has done
the whole thing without asking anything of anyone else including the
city.
Bateman said he looks forward to seeing the work come
to its conclusion, but like many others is excited and impressed by
what he is seeing already.
[Nila Smith] |
