Jim Daly Art
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Pillars of a Nation      [ Pricing & Details ]

  I was commissioned to do this painting a few years back by a collector of mine and I really got emotionally involved in it. He told me about his grandfather who came over from Hungry in 1907.  He was one of the million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island that year. He was very young and had very little. He started out in this country a a Barber and became a very wealthy man. Jim wanted me to do a painting as a tribute to his grandfather and to show his appreciation for what America has done for his family. I knew this painting would be the culmination of everything I’ve ever wanted to say as an artist. It would have feeling, emotion and drama. It would be a painting about people, about their hopes, their dreams, and their courage.

I began reading and doing research. Trying to find a concept. The more I read the more emotionally involved I became. What interested me most was the Registry Room, or “Great Hall” as it was called. My wife, Carole, convinced me that in order to do this painting the way I wanted, I would have to visit Ellis Island, and as it turned out, she was right. My secretary called the Park Service at Ellis Island and after explaining what I was doing, we were able to get special permission to visit. At the time it was in the process of renovation and was closed to the public.

While walking up the stairs from the baggage room to the the Registry Room I tried to imagine the feelings and emotions they must have felt going up those stairs to the “Great Hall”. All there hopes and dreams for the future and at the same time, the intense fear of being sent back.

I worked on this painting off and on for three years and felt as if I was living in the "Great Hall".

 

 

The Bike Patrol A Fine Afternoon For Fishing Fun In The Snow Carefree Days Testing The Waters Adoration The Model Builder The Engineer Down Just Out Of Reach The Storyteller A Sympathetic Friend Digging For Dinner The Three Rs Watchful Eyes Camping Buddies On Guard Just One More Throw In The Lead Just Hangin Around Jesus Inspired His Favorite Toy Cape Perpetura Cape Cove Calm Waters Barley Awake The Finishing Touch Budding Star Along For The Ride A Good Hunt River Beach School Days Swashbuckler Swan River The Hiding Place The Music Hour The Old Timer Talking It Over Team Mates Childhood Friends Favorite Reader The Long Haul The Contest The Highwaymen My Best Friends Melissa Inside The sugarhouse In The Doghouse Home Team Zero Saturday Night The Big Moment Peptalk The Up And Comer Unexpected Company Winding Down The Stand Off Nankoweap Rapids Crooked River High Fly Just A Cowboy Buckaroo First Catch Favorite Story Drifting Off Playing House The Toy Train Curious Encounter Pillars of a Nation Home Safe Radio Daze Dominoes Favorite Spot The Reluctant Gardener Attic Treasures A Quit Place A Penny Apiece A Golden Moment Secret Spot Early Risers Contentment Boyhood Treasures Bedtime Story Eye to Eye Cody Catch of My Dreams Back To The Barn Back of the Old Truck A Day At The Falls At It Again Follow The Rainbow Flying High Soap Opra The Early Bird The Thief When I Grow Up Wiped Out The Iceman Odd Man Out Rain Rain Go Away Go Home Moonlight and Fireglow Second Thoughts A LITTLE ABOUT ME CONTACT US UPCOMING EVENTS LICENSING WORKSHOPS