Ellen Wilson: A True Friend
Virginia Huber
Watercolor/collage
$300
Artist Statement
ELLEN LOUISE AXSON WILSON - Wife of WOODROW WILSON, 28th President of the United States
Pass gently by this thoughtful and warm hearted woman whose health became fragile during President Wilson's first administration which began in 1913. She passed away in 1914.
(It probably is the second wife you have heard about - Edith. She is remembered for good reason. Edith stood by her husband as he healed from strokes and filled in for him secretly. Impressive as that was to most, to me Ellen was, nevertheless, the wife whom I particularly admire.)
BALANCE was Ellen's spoken mantra in life. You can understand why; there were many directions she could have gone with her considerable talents and interests:
- She could have been ONLY wife, hostess, mother of three daughters, and home maker for thirty five happy years to the man who became the twenty eighth President of the United States.
- She could have been ONLY a trusted support for the twenty eighth President of the United States and for her daughters during his and their formative years.
- Ellen could ONLY have painted landscapes as a member in good standing of the American Impressionist school.
- She could ONLY have designed gardens in the homes she and Woodrow lived in and for homes of others.
Regarding gardens, did you know that Ellen Wilson conceived of and designed the first White House Rose Garden? Ellen thought her new home at the White House needed a garden so her husband could walk along a pleasant path to his office each morning.
Ellen sewed her own ball gown for her husband's Princeton University presidential inauguration. Remnants of the gown survive today, somewhat tattered. I’ve used an archived photo provided to me by the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library as my portrait field shape.
I have forwardly tilted the conventional upright gesture for cameos. For this project, I imagine meeting Ellen back through history. She was a person I would want for a friend. I think she would lean forward toward me to indicate an openness to what I might have to say.
About the Artist
Watercolor painter/teacher Virginia Huber was born and raised in Washington D.C. Since 1964, she has lived and worked in the Madison area. Virginia Huber taught continuing education art classes for University of Wisconsin Outreach Division for many years and then (1995) founded a one-woman art school for adult students, Huber School, llc. Ms. Huber’s art focuses on people - the interactions with others, their quiet alone time, and how they fill their days on earth. “I paint in a gestural style, without aid (or confinement) of underlying pencil structure.”
“The first President I was aware of was Harry Truman. My parents were amused that I mistakenly called him “President Prune.” I have a clear memory of seeing Mrs. Truman but not thinking very much about her. My apologies for that. I envied their daughter Margaret. I competed with three older sisters for our beloved father’s attention. Margaret didn’t have to.”