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Team Roskam Puts Capitol Dome in Perspective

Ever glance up at the Capitol and think to yourself, “Ehh”?

That’s never been the case for professional artist and Dome admirer Elizabeth Roskam.

(Courtesy Peter Roskam)
(Courtesy Rep. Peter Roskam)

The painter wife of Rep. Peter Roskam spent 18 months preparing various takes on the symbolic structure. The completed works are featured in a 2014 calendar the Illinois Republican sent out to thousands of colleagues, constituents and friends in lieu of a Christmas card.

“At the beginning it was going to be a series just of Washington and scenes from around town. But then each time it came back to this Capitol building that looks so different and so dramatic and so interesting, and it really built from there,” Peter Roskam said of the vibrantly colored labor of love.

Per staff, the congressman and his brood snapped tons of pics of the Capitol for Elizabeth to work from — “February’s Dome was from a picture one of his kids took,” a Roskam aide explained — including shots taken at varying hours of day and with dramatically different lighting.

(Courtesy Peter Roskam)
(Courtesy Rep. Peter Roskam)

“It was about trying to capture in the paintings that it’s not just a building, it represents so much more. It’s a symbol of America, the history and the majesty of it,” Elizabeth Roskam shared with HOH via email. “It’s a work of art in itself and conveying everything the Capitol symbolizes through my own art was very special.”

The artist, who last graced these pages after wowing House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., with a special birthday portrait, isn’t done with her aesthetic efforts yet.

“She’s going back to the idea of scenes of Washington and starting to collect photos and inspiration … perhaps for another calendar next year,” Team Roskam said.

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