"Some were born in Wyoming and some in Nebraska and when we got to South Dakota, more were born . . ."

Even in the early to mid 1900's a family of 17 children was a bit unusual. At the 1954 family reunion, the Speeses were able to gather all but one surviving sibling in the same place at the same time. This composite image is one way to show all family members. Only one, who died in infancy and for whom there are no photos, is not shown in this piece. Two of the original 17 are still with us, now in their 70's they both live in Kansas City.

A FAMILY TREE

Your visual family story can be displayed alone or with related images to create a striking point of interest in any room.

PUZZLE PIECES

A friend asked if I would create a piece for her showing her mother and her many grandchildren. Laying out all the photos was a challenge but as we talked, I learned that the family had regularly played games and her mother dearly loved puzzles. This piece shows how that love of puzzles solved my problem. Taking the time to hear the story behind each item is the key to the final image.

REMEMBERING

I was listening to Public Radio early this morning as they commemorated this 40th anniversary of the death of Martin Luther King. It seemed appropriate to post the image (in the sidebar) which was created 20 years ago for the Martin Luther King Center for Non-Violence. The plate was produced in limited numbers and I don't think it is available any longer. I remember looking for text to include in the pastel drawing, I didn't realize until some time after the work was completed that the text was from his last speech. Mankind lost a brilliant lamp and a shining star. May we all continue the search for peace and unity.

FARM FAMILY

It was not unusual in South Dakota in the 1950's for kids (especially rural kids) to leave school after the 8th grade so this family was understandably proud of their four high school graduates. Understanding begins with seeing history through the lens of the time.

SUSAN

"I remember the stripes on her back from being whipped" is the way my mother always began the story of Great grandmother Susan. Her look of quiet determination hides a lifetime of hardship and prompted me to include this text from a poem by Langston Hughes in this composition. This picture pays homage to those women on whose shoulders I stand.

ANOTHER BRANCH OF THE FAMILY TREE

A map is used as a background in this historical piece. It helps to provide geographical context to this family's history. Pictures of great grandmother, grandmother, mother/father and children complete this composition.

NEVER TOO LATE

Graduation is always an accomplishment but how much more so when one is simultaneously working full time, raising a family, and doing the myriad other things grown folks do. It is an accomplishment at age 22 and it is an accomplishment at 45. It is never too late.

PILGRIMAGE

Pilgrimage is a precious bounty for Bahai's. This image keeps alive memories of this family's nine day pilgrimage to Haifa, Israel, the site of the world headquarters of the Bahai faith. They had wonderful photos from which to choose for these striking prints.

THE QUEEN OF CARMEL

Every now and then a photo comes along which just cries for a vertical format, this is one of those times. It uses some of the elements of the previous image but in a very different layout.

THE DAY CLAN

Another sample image using vertical orientation. By the way, that little girl is me circa 1943. Do you suppose that blue 1939 Ford is the reason I now drive a blue PT Cruiser???

FROM MISSOURI TO SOUTH DAKOTA

The lure of land of their own drew people from diverse backgrounds to The Great Plains. The obituary included in this piece gives more details about their lives and may spark discussion of the family roots.

A CANADIAN WEDDING, 1876

This image is composed of an old photograph, display type, a lace tablecloth, a length of kente cloth, a commemorative stamp and handwritten and typed notes detailing family lineage. The frame was digitally created.

LIFE ON THE PRAIRIE

This image presents life over a period of time, from the wedding in 1876 to a Christmas photo taken in 1913. The background photo of Overton, NE presents a little of the flavor of the era.