Erica's Love and Appeal Portrait of Erica Shontel McClellen by Greg Woodring

From Erica’s mom Shonda McMlellen: Erica Shontel McClellen was born on her actual due date on 5/11/00, she was the 6th of 7 siblings and the baby girl. She was 17 yrs. old and a senior at John Bartram HS and she worked at Sonic Drive-In.  She was a person who loved life and loved her family and friends. To know Erica was to love or hate her, there was no in between as she was one to speak her mind when she felt something was not right or she needed to get her point across.  She was my rebellious child, but not in a bad way. She was very respectful, but was not one to tolerate nonsense and she was one to always admit when she was wrong, as she would say, “Mom, I was wrong,’ or tell the teacher(s), “I had a bad day, I apologize.”  There is not one person that had come in contact with Erica that she did not leave a lasting impression on.

Erica had a voice that was immediately recognizable as it was deep and had a raspy sound, which could not be ignored by anyone.  She had a love for New Balance Sneakers and music.

Her voice, her confidence and her love for her family were just a few of Erica’s great characteristics.

Erica’s life was taken too soon before she was able to really start living it. She has just started to start the college application process when are life was taken suddenly.

Erica is survived by her parents, both sets of grandparents, 4 brothers and 2 sisters and 4 bonus sister/best friends, host of aunts, uncles, niece/nephews and cousins. 

From the artist Greg Woodring: Greg is an architect who enjoys the challenges presented when using water colors to communicate an image or idea.  Erica's portrait was intended to communicate her loss and her frustration in not being here anymore and the loss of all those opportunities that life presents to us, the living....don't waste it.

From the curator:Greg has painted a face that certainly reflects what we know of Erica from her mother Shonda’s remembrances of her.. She looks out boldly at us. Hers was a strong voice silenced too soon.

Erica’s Love and Appeal! Portrait of Erica Shontell McClellen by Greg Woodring watercolor on heavy cotton watercolor paper 14” x 20”