Artist and editor Tod Lippy, stunned by Donald Trump's 2024 presidential election win, embarked on an obsessive two-day search for voters who had publicly supported Trump. Finding 50 individuals through op-eds and news interviews, Lippy—who had never painted before—created a series of portraits titled *My Fellow Americans*. The works debut as a site-specific installation at Independent New York. Over several months, Lippy painted nearly one portrait a day using acrylic gouache, immersing himself in the process and studying each subject's face in detail.
This project matters because it represents a deeply personal attempt to bridge political polarization through art. Lippy's practice of portraiture forced him to see his subjects as individuals rather than abstractions, leading to an unexpected emotional connection. The work highlights how figurative painting can foster empathy across ideological divides, offering a poignant counterpoint to the hyper-polarized political climate. It also underscores the power of art as a tool for introspection and understanding, rather than mere political commentary.