Artist Elaine Thompson has done it again, winning rave reviews and hot sales of her new work, “Trump—The Party of Lincoln.” She’s created stunning portraits of Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, and John F. Kennedy, and expects to soon sell out 2,500 limited edition prints of the 45th president.
“Trump and Lincoln had a lot in common,” the Bohemia artist said of her decision to pair the two in her latest work. “They were both Republican longshot candidates with no political experience. Both were surrounded by dangerous people who wanted them impeached, jailed, or assassinated.”
Thompson notes that the reactions to their elections were very adverse during a divided nation. “Extreme media coverage favored the Democrat party. One newspaper called Lincoln a traitor. Like Trump, Lincoln was anti-racist and addressed the people directly with speeches to get their platforms known. The only difference was Lincoln did not tweet,” the artist joked. “Their wives were both snubbed. Most importantly, Trump and Lincoln defended America’s founding principles because of their love of their country.”
Thompson worked on the “Trump—The Party of Lincoln” painting for months, doing research in libraries and collecting ideas and photographic references. She also had several models pose to paint the precise details. The body model for the Trump figure was Suffolk GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia, the hand model for Trump was Thompson’s grandson, Army Ranger Jamie Mas, and the hand model for Lincoln was Thompson’s son Richard Polizzi, who has recently passed away.
Thompson connected with the management of the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster after she met them at the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage. That is when she was invited to paint the New Jersey golf course and produced an edition of prints that quickly sold out.
Thompson is well known for her U.S. Open and PGA golf paintings and New York scenes, including The Big Duck in Flanders, Long Island lighthouses, and the Statue of Liberty, as well as pets and Irish art.
In 1984, Thompson designed the official poster for the National Vietnam Memorial Statue in Washington at the request of President Ronald Reagan. Her next painting in the Presidential series will be Reagan atop his horse.
Limited edition Trump prints are going for $20 and up. The original painting is also available. Thompson has an art and framing gallery in Bohemia. For hours, call or text 516-380-7715 or etcreation@optonline.net and www.thompsonart.us
Thompson will be at the Wet Paints Studio Group Holiday Art and Artisan Fair
on Sat. Oct. 26 and Sun. Oct. 27 from 11 am to 4 pm at the Community House at 47 Gillette Avenue in Sayville. There will be original art and gifts for sale just in time for the holidays. This is a free event where you can meet the artists. An Artist Reception is Sun. Oct. 27, 2pm to 4pm. Refreshments served. For info call 631-332-7768 or pennyfaceart@yahoo.com