Artist Statement: BlueWaveNJ 2008 Painting
by Lori Loebelsohn

This painting has gone through many permutations since I originally conceived it in 2005. Gore’s loss in 2000 and Kerry’s loss in 2004 were devastating blows to progressive Democrats, but these events proved to be the catalyst that would inspire volunteers to create BlueWaveNJ. As an artist, I felt that one way I could contribute to the goals of BlueWaveNJ was to communicate our pressing political images through a symbolic painting. The images around the boarder represent these important issues, and were designed to coincide with BlueWaveNJ’s active working groups. With Barack Obama’s victory, BlueWaveNJ’s groups will continue to fight against climate change and for energy independence, and, human rights, affordable health care, withdrawal from Iraq and many others.

The first version of this painting in 2005 was very pessimistic, with almost the entire country painted red. BlueWaveNJ board members asked me to change the red to purple as a symbol of hope and change for the future. In 2006, the Democrats took over the House and Senate (just barely) and the “sea” (and the 2007 version of the painting) was beginning to move in the right (left) direction.

To our joy and excitement, 2008 brought not a gradual shift, but a real blue wave across the nation. Barack Obama won the Presidency and Democrats have firmer control of the House and Senate. This great victory, of course, did not happen by itself. The real sea change was the thousands of grass roots volunteers who were infuriated with the last eight years and determined to bring real change to America. In the Montclair area, this grass roots effort was spearheaded by BlueWaveNJ and the tireless efforts of Marcia Marley. Through the BlueWaveNJ action center, hundreds of volunteers participated through phone calls, canvassing, poll watching, fundraising, organizing rallies and other activities. On Election Night, the look in the eyes and the joy on the faces of the volunteers who had worked so hard and watched with pride as President-elect Obama made his acceptance speech was unforgettable.

Most of all, my experiences working on this painting reflect the optimism that Obama so eloquently describes in his speeches. The “sea change” that we have seen in our little corner of New Jersey has occurred across the entire nation. Grassroots efforts, concerned citizens and people who just couldn’t take any more of the Bush administration and its policies were able to change this country and make a difference. Finally, the painting as I imagined it in 2005, after so many drafts and revisions, is complete. I’ve never been as happy as I am now to put my paint brush down.

Lori Loebelsohn
website: www.loriloebelsohn.com