Brooklyn is a member of the Two Harbors High School graduating class of 2026.

It’s an understatement to confess that I’m no art critic. But, here goes. Here’s what I see in that painting:

• This is a story about imperfect people trying to do their best. This painting symbolizes all of them, including the writer. This is not a story about two fancy, upscale, modern towns. More like rugged, weathered, yet comfortable places to grow up in.  This feels like those towns. The lines and numbers on the field aren’t perfectly straight. I love those numbers—every one is different. There’s nothing “perfect” about this.  That’s exactly what makes this painting perfect. 
• The field is empty. Nobody there.  This makes me think about the “what if this didn’t exist” questions I asked of a few people.
• The absence of football players also allows you to imagine what might be happening on any given Friday night without forcing it on you.
• Military veterans became an integral part of the stories of goodness and sadness in these towns. The flag—placed in the middle of the painting, is a nice reminder of them.
• On a personal note, when the Dallas Morning News sent me to cover high school football games, the last thing I’d do before leaving each stadium is take a picture of the field and lights. I’d wait until everyone was gone.  This picture reminds me of that peacefulness.
• It has an organic, childhood feeling to it. I like that.
• I love that you can see the texture of the canvas when you zoom in. Speaking of canvas—a few months ago, that thing was a blank slate.  Nothing there.  Brooklyn looked at it, imagined, then created something from nothing. I’ve never had more respect for that than I do now.
• Brooklyn is also the daughter of Tom and Angie Nelson. It seems appropriate that this artistic contribution is made from a member of this football FAMILY.