"I've never painted the White House before. One reason I'm doing it
now is that I've been asked to take part in the inspiring ceremony that marks
the lighting of the National Christmas Tree.
How I look forward to the moment when the Kinkade family joins the American
family in honoring this grand tradition. I intend to present 'The Lights of
Liberty', the first in my new "Season of Lights" collection, to both the
outgoing and incoming first families.
This painting celebrates the national security and prosperity that flows from
decisions made in this building. As we enter a new millennium, we are again
reminded that the peaceful passing of the American mantle of power is a most
important achievement. I haven't painted the tree ceremony; indeed, there
are no people in 'The Lights of Liberty.' This is a scene of profound
solitude and quiet serenity as the flag flies over the White House bathed in
the flow of the sunset.
One can be distracted by the pomp and circumstance surrounding a national
tourist attraction. Here, instead, I portray the home of our national first
family - and, by extension, of all American families. Perhaps then, the
Lights of liberty suggested by my painting's title could be either the
peaceful lights of an American home, or the symbolic glow of the tree, which
is suggestive of our precious religious freedoms. I pray that each year, this
painting will cause many to celebrate the blessings of the season of lights."
