Painting No. 31 – Title “Don’t Tread On Me” June 2009
Acrylic on Canvas
120cms Length x 92cms Wide x 3cms Deep
Painting Story: President Barack Obama the 44th president of the United States assumed Office January 20, 2009. The first African American to do so! At his victory celebration he said “change has come to America” and he also said “he would not only be President to those whom elected him but also be their President to whom did not!”. Obama’s victory celebration speech was truly inspirational and hence inspired this painting.

Part One of this painting has the nine sections boarded off red sections. Plus 50 mixed colours of red, white, blue, gold and dark brown triangles representing the fifty US States (50 stars). I have used the shapes of triangles sitting side on side to demonstrate the uniting of each state working together but still remaining separate. The use of Gold was to introduce the gold fringing that can be found on the American Flags at times. The colour dark brown is representation of the African American. The red, white, blue, gold and dark brown being a representation of many different nationalities and cultures, all under the one country’s flag.

Part two of the painting of 13 red partial stripes representing the original thirteen colonies that rebelled against the British Crown. The stripes being in the colours of red, white, blue, gold and dark brown and once again representing it’s countries diverse population.

Part three of the painting is the rattlesnake on the U.S. Navy Jack which is now displayed on all U.S. Navy ships during the War on Terrorism. Then Navy Flag is named “Don’t tread on me”. The symbol of the rattlesnake and the name of the Navy Jack “Don’t tread on me” seemed like a very appropriate name for this painting. America has demonstrated and conveyed this statement in full over time…
Abstract Artist: Karen Robinson
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