Bernard and Shirley Kinsey

A Descendant of renowned abolitionist Mary Ann Shadd, Lane was awarded a scholarship to the Ontario College of Art in Toronto and was the first woman admitted to Cranbrook Art Academy. Her early career as a portrait painter began with Michigan Governor George Romney as her subject. Lane continued her portraiture in Los Angeles, depicting dignitaries Nelson Mandela, Gordon Getty, Ronald Reagan, and many more. She used artistic expression to address social issues with such works as The Beginning, depicting a young Rosa Parks seated on the bus. She was to become Parks’ personal artist. Lane eventually shifted her focus to sculpture, creating lithe dancers, pregnant women, and her latest series, Emerging into Spirit, which symbolizes man’s spiritual journey to enlightenment.

Lane, was commissioned by good friends of Bernard and Shirley Kinsey to paint the portrait which was given as a gift to the couple on their 35th anniversary.