Blog / 2026 / The Rainbow Promise

Rainbows often symbolize hope or good luck. In many mythologies around the world, rainbows represent a bridge or other kind of communication between Earth and the heavens.

Of course, rainbows aren’t all good, everywhere, all the time. Among certain South American and Slavic peoples for example, rainbows can be a warning or even a deadly occurrence in and of themselves. And, for many Australian Aboriginal people, rainbows are an embodiment or a sign of what’s been called the Rainbow Serpent by some. The Rainbow Serpent is a kind of creator deity who brings life as well as chaos.

In the case of this painting though, I’m channeling the “good vibes” feeling of rainbows—and I mean the “good vibes” of celebrating diversity à la LGBTQIA Pride flag!

It was important to me to paint the 16^th president of the United States in 2026 as part of my own personal Semiquincentennial celebration, which also includes these eagles, this bison, and the Statue of Liberty.

Lincoln may not have been a founder of this country, but he did a lot to reboot the United States. He stood up to the American oligarchs of his time. These slaver-owners were looking to preserve their wealth and their power. They wanted to continue buying and selling their fellow human beings, and they didn’t care if they had to destroy democracy to get it done. Honest Abe made it clear where they could put their cruelty and their greed.

Lincoln is a kind of historical rainbow. He’s a promise from past to future, and one that I’ll fight every day to keep.

The original rainbow Lincoln artwork already sold, but you can buy prints and pretty things of the image here in my print shop. Or if you’d like a free version of the image, read on...

Come to Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia on September 12^th at 11 AM to commemorate the beginning of American democracy with me and the 52 Weeks of Firsts project. I’ll be giving away Liberty Bell coloring pages as well as stickers depicting the historical rainbow that is the 16^th president of the United States.

The event is part of a yearlong celebration of all the ways the first capital of the United States was first in other ways as well, and that includes the First Continental Congress, which I was chosen to represent.

Learn more about 52 Weeks of Firsts and plan your art-and-history tour of Philadelphia with this interactive map.