May 8, 2002

Dear Vincent,

My name is Jonathan. I live in Ludlow, Vermont U.S.A. I like sunny days. I like to play baseball and soccer. I am 9 years old and in third grade.  I have a wonderful teacher named Mrs. Rosa. I have a baby sister, Skylar, a big sister, Jessica, and a brother, Jason.

 I drew my self portrait wearing a sweatshirt, a hat and a beard. I am holding a basketball that my dad bought me. It's my favorite basketball. My dad lives in New York. I get to see him on vacations. I wore the hat and beard to be cool looking like you. Dr. McKillop took a digital picture of me and I used it when I started to draw my self portrait with a pencil. Then I used paint to color my portrait. 

Do you know the rule of halves? Well, it's used  to help you draw your face with your  eyes, ears, nose and lips in the right places. I used it to make my self portrait. How come you didn't smile in any of  your self portraits, Vincent? I wish you could have had a happier life. I wish you could still be alive to know that everyone around  the world thinks your paintings are magnificent.

Your Fan,

     Jonathan