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Steven Sotloff memorial painting unveiled at law firm

Parents awed by son's memorial

MIAMI – It is a vibrant and symbolic piece of art. The memorial makes no mention of Steven Sotloff's death.

The only hint of Middle East conflict is the "Dome of the Rock" in the old city of Jerusalem where Sotloff once lived.

The fruits of righteousness give way to orchids and greenery where you'll find Sotloff's own words, the letters he secretly wrote to his family while he was held hostage by the terror group ISIS.

"It's a blueprint of what he wants us to do. How to live our lives," said Arthur Sotloff, Steven's father.

Arthur and Shirley Sotloff got a look at the painting by artist Tracy Ellyn for the first time on Tuesday.

It's on display at the Greenspoon Marder law firm in Fort Lauderdale as part of its "community arts partnership."

Ellyn said she began working on the piece after Sotloff's death as a way to give back to the family who she said lost so much.

"There's a lightness," said Ellyn. "There's soulfulness about it that she really loved."

The artwork was picked by the family after it was submitted to the Steven Sotloff '2 Lives' foundation which supports journalists and their families.

"I love color and it was different," said Shirley, Steven's mother. "It had nothing to do with how Steven died. It just had something to do that illuminated in Tracy's mind."

Sotloff's father said he could 'see' his son in the painting.

"I kinda felt like my son was standing in front of me," said Arthur. "It was a part of him and he was an extraordinary person."

The artwork will remain on display at the law firm for now.

Sotloff would have turned 32 this past Monday.

Follow Carlos Suarez on Twitter @CarlosWPLG

Follow Local 10 News on Twitter @WPLGLocal10


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