Yep – this is just one chicken egg that I was requested to do for an Easter display at the White House in 2003 and then it became part of the Presidential Collection of Pres. G. W. Bush Library. I’ve included 10 views my egg from all around and down from the top. (Keep reading down to the end for a detailed description of the creation process for my egg.)

The Clintons started the tradition which was continued every Easter when an artist from each of the 50 states was asked to create an egg to be displayed for several weeks. It then belongs to the President’s collection after that.

All the artists from the fifty states and a guest were invited to a reception at the White House with an extended tour.

I painted my egg with oils, after it had been blown-out through tiny holes (a requirement) and then covered with epoxy to give it strength.

They say ‘paint what you know’. So I chose the scene of the Sawtooth Mts. that are just north of where I live and which I consider the ‘HEART OF IDHAO’. Also, the Salmon River is prominent as seen here where it runs along the base of the Sawtooths, and truly is the Heart of Idaho because it literally cuts right through the center of the state dividing it in two on its way to the Snake and Columbia Rivers to the ocean.

We are surrounded by wild animals of every kind: moose, elk, fox, ermine, wolverine and so on. (I have had most of these come through my yard in town!) BUT on an egg – how do you choose which ones can fit without slighting others?

So I chose a different route. Also in the Heart of Idaho is the thriving cultural iconic town of Sun Valley, the first ski resort in the U.S. It was founded in 1936 by Averell Harriman for the Union Pacific Railroad which wanted to create a resort to bolster use of their service to bring in skiers.

Coincidentally, Averell Harriman was also one of the first importers and breeders of Labrador Retrievers in the U.S.. These loveable dogs represent about half the population of dogs all over our valley. It seems like there is always a couple in the back of every pick-up truck and trucks are quite plentiful.

Well one of those delightful dogs was my soul-mate-friend at that time, ‘Blue Dog’, who has appeared in many of my paintings. Plus I still cherished the memories of my ‘Red Dog’, a Golden Retriever. So these two special dogs made the cut and got to be painted on my egg.

The dogs are joined by a gaggle of geese, a Bald Eagle at the top, the white flowering Syringa bush, which is the Idaho State Flower and many more wild flowers and Aspens trees. - G.P.L.