Portrait of Beto Selected for Emotions Exhibit

Nicole Jeffords, Beto | Oil on Canvas, 20” x 16” (2018)

I’m excited to announce that my portrait of Beto O’Rourke was selected for Emotions - 2022, an all-medium dual art competition, presented mutually by Gallerium art exhibitions and The Book of Arts publications.

After Trump’s election I began painting a series of political portraits of mostly corrupt and negative figures in the president’s administration. What a breath of fresh air then, when someone like Beto came along and gave me hope that humanity is still alive and desperately needed in politics today. I sincerely hope he takes Abbott’s place as governor of Texas. It’s been three decades since the state has elected a Democratic governor, and we need Beto now more than ever.

For the submission process for this exhibit, artists worldwide were encouraged to express their artistic world of human emotions and feelings. For me, Beto symbolizes HOPE.

The Emotions exhibit features works by over 200 artists and can be viewed both online and in The Book of Arts: Emotions.