May, 5, 2002

Dear Vincent Van Gogh,

My name is Meara.  My age is 9.  I am in third grade.  I live in Ludlow, Vermont.  I am writing to you because my class and I were studying you.  My hobby is reading.  I enjoy drawing, catching bugs, playing with my friends, and making things.  I also made a self portrait in art class. 

  I used the rule of halves and looked at a digital photo that was taken of me.  Did you use the rule of halves when you painted all of your portraits?  If you don't know what that is this is what it is.  You divide an oval into four parts then you know where the face parts should be drawn.  In my self portrait I am wearing a blue shirt and holding a pallet.  I was really wearing a black shirt but I changed the color to blue to make it prettier.  The pallet I'm holding is splattered with dry paint.  I was holding a pallet because I had forgotten to bring something from home so my art teacher let me hold something from the art room.  This was perfect for me because I love to draw and paint.  In my self portrait I painted swirls on my blue shirt.  I wanted to make it sort of like yours.  I hope I give people the message of happiness when they look at my portrait.  I am a happy girl and I have a happy life.  I feel sad about your life though.  You've had a frustrating life.  I wish your life was better.  But your art is excellent!  I love it!  Although people didn't like it when you painted it, now they do!  I hope you know that!

                                                               Your Admirer,

                                                                Meara