Finding Meaning
in Otis
The views and content created by the featured artists are solely their own, and do not reflect the viewpoint of Revolutionary Spaces or the National Museum of Mental Health Project.
Like each of us, James Otis, Jr. spoke with words and feelings. Like each of us, his story shouldn’t be told in just words.
Creative expression of feeling is the original language of humanity – before words existed. We invite you to go beyond words as you consider the life and emotions of James Otis, Jr., and your own.
We are honored to share creative expressions about James Otis, Jr., and emotions, by all named below.
- Paul Piwko, Co-developer of the National Museum of Mental Health Project
Heidi Manfred: Selections from The Emotions Collection
Heidi Theresa Manfred is a licensed behavioral specialist and artist, and created The Emotions Collection in 2023. After reading Patriot, Hero, Distracted Person, Manfred selected pieces she felt best represented James Otis, Jr. and his emotional journey.
Grateful, 2023
"These colors and the movement created by the brush strokes reflect the countryside that provided respite for Otis on many occasions when his mental health worsened during city life in Boston."
Heidi Manfred (b. 1981)
Watercolor on Paper
5 x 5 inches
Defeated, 2023
"The grand scale of this piece and the simple message of loss represent the pain of not only having his life shattered by tragedy amongst family members but also the three times that Otis was declared non compos mentis."
Heidi Manfred (b. 1981)
Oil paint on canvas
72 x 72 inches
Determined, 2023
"Known as an early leader of the American Revolution, Otis' devotion to what he considered the "path to freedom" can be seen in the horizontal direction of this piece as the eyes are drawn to journey across the canvas."
Heidi Manfred (b. 1981)
Watercolor on Paper
5 x 5 inches
Provoked, 2023
"The rich colors and thick texture of this piece pay homage to Otis' personal destruction by alcohol in his later years along with evoking how the unexpected caning by a political adversary may have felt like in the moment for Otis."
Heidi Manfred (b. 1981)
Oil paint on canvas
72 x 72 inches
Todd Otis: Excerpt from Sparks of the Revolution
Author, former state legislator, and James Otis, Jr. descendant Todd Otis recently published Sparks of the Revolution: James Otis and the Birth of American Democracy. This novel weaves together historical fact and speculated emotion to tell the story of James Otis, Jr. and the radical movement he started. Below is an excerpt from the novel which imagines Otis’ last journey into Boston in 1783 for a dinner party with his friends and family.
“Otis then looked at Hancock and Adams with a blank stare of incomprehension. He stood up so quickly he almost lost his balance and began to shout in Latin, reciting Virgil and Cicero, and using his whole body for histrionic effect. He moved quickly around the dining room, pounding on the end tables for effect, never lapsing into English. His face became red and began to glow with sweat, and the volume of his words increased with each passing minute. His brother Samuel and James Warren rose simultaneously and approached Otis. He pushed them aside and continued. Hancock and Adams rose to help, but to no avail. The tragic rant just grew louder.
“Jemmy, stop this now!” Mercy shouted at the top of her lungs. “Stop!” She approached her brother, getting dangerously close to him, literally face to face. A final time she said, in a much softer tone, “Stop,” and then he did. Otis lowered his head like a guilty child and walked out of the dining room into the long hall, to the front door, and out of the house. Osgood and Samuel Otis raced after him, across Hancock’s manicured lawn, finally reaching and subduing him. Otis and his brother Samuel held one another under the pall of utmost pain, and Otis sobbed on his brother’s shoulder.
A deep sense of sad embarrassment fell over the rest of the guests. When James Otis returned to the table, the conversation became safely banal, and he retreated to his state of impassive silence. When the guests had finished the dessert of Alma Pudding, Otis turned to Osgood and said, “We must return to the farm now!” to which Hancock objected. “No, stay here for the night and you can return tomorrow. It is not wise to travel at night.” James Otis persisted adamantly, relentlessly that they return."
- Todd Otis, Sparks of the Revolution
Mark Cutler: "Fanning the Flame"
After reading Patriot, Hero, Distracted Person, musician and Rhode Island Hall of Fame inductee Mark Cutler wrote “Fanning the Flame” as a musical homage to the patriot.
Fanning the Flames - Lyrics Political passion and boiling white heat Sweet chimes of freedom ring down the street Raging through the world, straight to the heart Singular devotion but falling apart Chorus: Have you heard of James Otis? Scream out his name He was fighting for freedom, not pleasure or fame Have you heard of James Otis? Sing out his name Fighting for freedom, fanning the flame Smugglers they smuggled in the dark of the night Down through the bay, hidden from sight The King didn’t want to be left high and dry Tearing up homes and babies did cry Shaking down people, breaking their will Sooner or later blood surely would spill Ruth Otis conflicted, loyal to the crown The house was divided, it was on shaky ground (Chorus) Have you heard of James Otis? Scream out his name He was fighting for freedom, not pleasure or fame Have you heard of James Otis? Sing out his name Fighting for freedom, fanning the flame A founding father who lost his one son A daughter and red coat got married and run Hit in the head by the dreaded tax man Never to be the same soul again John Adams wrote down way back when “James raved against wife, brother, sister and friend” James battled his demons like so many do Fought for a freedom with a heartbeat so true (Chorus) Have you heard of James Otis? Scream out his name He was fighting for freedom, not pleasure or fame Have you heard of James Otis? Sing out his name Fighting for freedom, fanning the flame Confused and complex, with no inner peace Curled up and coiled, in need of release James’ mind was exploding with ideas and ideals But he couldn’t tell if anything was real Burnt all his papers, we couldn’t know more Struck down by lightning as he stood in the door Now you’ve heard of James Otis Scream out his name Fighting for freedom Fanning the flame
Julia Eifler: Wild Flowers of Massachusetts
Appreciative of the role that nature and the countryside played in Otis' later life, botanical artist Julia Eifler constructed a piece representing the native flora of Otis' home state, Massachusetts. In the process of pressing flowers, they are preserved; in this piece too, is preserved the moments, health, and the beauty that nature can give us in our darkest moments.
"This botanical art, using Massachusetts native flowers, gives insight into the solace and peace many sought in the 1700s. We are nature, yet today's world often leads us to forget. This piece represents the winding journey we take back to ourselves, cultivating sustainable soil that promotes nourishment and growth."
- Julia Eifler
Wild Flowers of Massachusetts, 2025
Julia Eifler (b. 1998)
16x20 inches
Botanical Art on Black Velvet: Black-Eyed Susan, Golden Rod,
Joe-Pye Weed, Sweet Pepperbush, Lady Fern
Ange Similien: Stand Strong
Emerging spoken-word poet Ange Similien combines the competing themes of self-overexertion and the pursuit of justice in her poem Stand Strong. She challenges the reader to reconcile the two human impulses, just as Otis struggled to do throughout his life.
Does justice need to be outspoken?
How deep can words & speeches affect mentality?
Even through the battle of inequity, the Americans claim victory.
He pushed himself over the limit, aiming the shot for proper rights & desperate for the bullseye of justice.
He fought for himself & others on behalf of justification.
Started with a high, aiming high but it caused a low, shut down.
Yet stood there showing true bravery regardless of the cost, because of his courageous mentality and words, he is a hero,
He is James Otis Jr.
- Ange Similien
About the Artists
Heidi Manfred is an assistant teaching professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Altoona. She is also an abstract artist who focuses on emotional awareness through her collection of oil and watercolor paintings. Additionally, she is licensed as a behavior specialist and is certified as an art therapy practitioner.
Find Manfred's other works at www.heiditheresaart.com
Todd Otis is author of Sparks of the Revolution and A Review of Nuclear Energy in the United States. He was born and raised by bi-partisan parents in St. Paul, MN and studied American History at Harvard College, and later received an MS in Journalism from Columbia. He has devoted his career to public service, first as a Peace Corps Volunteer then as a Minnesota State Representative and in his last twenty years as an advocate for Minnesota’s youngest children.
Purchase Sparks of the Revolution at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or bookshop.org
Mark Cutler is founder of The Same Thing Project, one of the first organizations in the United States dedicated to community songwriting, and an inductee of the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame for his work with the bands The Schemers, and Raindogs. Mark and The Schemers are winners of the former WBCN-Boston’s legendary Rock & Roll Rumble.
Find Cutler's other works at www.markcutlermusic.com
Julia Eifler is an artist and resident of Central Massachusetts who presses and preserves local flora to create botanical art in collaboration with nature. Her conscious creations honor the moments, the health, and the beauty nature gives.
Find Eifler's other works at https://www.etsy.com/shop/BreatheInGoods
Ange Similien is an artist from Massachusetts who started writing in her late teenage years to express herself and connect with others emotionally through the written word. Ange’s poetic voice is inspired by her faith, Haitian-American heritage, and health challenges she has faced, overcome, and faced again.