May 8, 2002

Dear Vincent Van Gogh,

            Hello, my name is Gabrielle.  I'm nine years old and in the third grade. I love to climb trees and big rocks. My best friend, Anna, and I collect Bitty Babies, which are dolls. We like them a lot. I live with my dad, mom and sister. We have two cats, one dog, two fish, five chickens and I just got one snake.

           I painted my self portrait because in school we studied you and we learned that you painted over 50 self portraits.

              Instead of using a mirror to help me draw my self portrait like you did, I used a digital photo. I used the rule of halves when I sketched my face. Did you? I wore my favorite sweatshirt and I held one of my Bitty Babies. His name is Samuel. I think he is really cute.

             I smiled in my self portrait. I didn't want to look sad like you did in yours.  I hope people will tell me that I did a good job and that I look happy . I want them to mean it if they say it, because I don't want people saying things they don't mean.

             I know you didn't have a good life because nobody liked your art. This made you feel sad. But now EVERYONE does. I hope you know that! I wish you didn't shoot yourself. You deserved to live longer because a little while after you died people started appreciating your art. I think your art is beautiful and terrific. When I look at your painting it just feels like I'm in them.

            I wish I could be able to see and meet you just once. I would tell you that you are famous and that people really admire you.

                                  Forever Your Fan,

                                              Gabrielle