Keith Haller Studio -- About the Artist

Keith Haller Studio

George Washington and the Cherry Tree Barack Obama and the Middleton Oak Gilbert Stuart Portrait

Remember George Washington and the Cherry Tree? It is American Folklore about George Washington behaving badly with a hatchet and chopping down the favorite Cherry Tree of his father. When asked, George did not deny or cover up his misdeed. That story projected a simple value of America and our Leaders, "I can not tell a lie". I have extended this metaphor again for a new ideal and created an Obama portait and twenty-first century story.

BARACK OBAMA AND THE MIDDLETON OAK

The Middleton Oak is likely the oldest oak tree ( 500-1000 years )in the United States. The tree is on the Middleton Plantation near what was an epicenter of slavery. It has been an eyewitness to much of our great American past, but also to some of our lowest moments. Its owners have been: Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress; Arthur Middleton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; and Williams Middleton, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. The Middleton Plantation, near Charleston, was a very active Slave plantation. The Ashley river, as seen in the portrait background, is a short distance from the Charleston Harbor, where 50% of the slaves that entered the US. The Ashley River was diverted to form rice paddies. The Middleton Oak has seen many slaves working those rice fields, and at other times resting in its shade. In April of 2008, the tree started to die, as two large limbs snapped on the tree for no apparent reason. April 2008 is also when Barack Obama sealed his nomination for President of the US representing the Democratic Party. My first impression of that tree was that it must have felt "Free at last". It can finally put an end to the worst chapter of U.S. History. Perhaps this great oak held on for that final purpose. The cherry tree died, but a value that propelled a nation was born. Hopefully Barack Obama and the Middleton Oak will propel us to a new ideal of rejection of prejudice and equal opportunity for all.

Just like George's cherry tree witnessed the brunt of human failing and then the birth of noble value reflected in a President, so too has the Middleton Oak. In this painting, I attempt to commemorate this noble and significant achievement, and I have placed a tree in the center of the story, the Middleton Oak.

GILBERT STUART

The Gilbert Stuart painting of George Washington is a famous portrait that is used on our currency. Even though the painting seems unfinished, it is perfect. That is an indelible image of our first president of the US. I thought it fitting to have a similar image for Barack, who will be our first African American President.