Check out Louisiana's latest popular 'I voted' sticker and the New Orleans artist's muse

When New Orleans artist Becky Fos got a second chance to create a painting for Louisiana's popular "I voted" sticker series, there was no question what it would be.

"The pelican is my favorite muse," Fos said of Louisiana's state bird and the state seal symbol.

Fos and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin unveiled her original painting and the sticker art it created at the Louisiana State Archives Monday, a day before qualifying begins for the Oct. 14 election.

Fos, known as the "Happy Artist" for her bright colors, painted Louisiana the pelican and her young drenched with strokes of undiluted oil on canvas using a pallet knife rather than a brush as is her signature.

In ancient European lore, the mother pelicans would open their breast and feed their young with her blood if there wasn't enough food. "Only the love of a mother," Fos said of her inspiration.

Fos' original artwork and the sticker from which is was created is titled "Confidence," which Ardoin said symbolizes the strength and integrity of Louisiana elections.

"Louisiana voters are passionate about their stickers," Ardoin said. "This latest (art) is as colorful as Louisiana and her people."

Ardoin's office has had 3.5 million of the new stickers printed to cover both fall elections and the 2024 spring election at a cost of $27,000.

Louisiana began its "I voted" series with the late iconic artist George Rodrigue's Blue Dog in 2016, Lafayette artist Tony Bernard's King George pelican in 2019 and Fos' state Capitol in 2022.

Last year's state Capitol version titled "Louisiana State of Mind" won the U.S. Election Assistance Commission's annual Clearinghouse Award for the most creative and original "I voted" sticker design. Bernard's King George won the same award in 2020.

Louisiana's "I voted" stickers have been wildly popular among voters and collectors. Previous stickers have sold for as much as $10 or more on eBay.

Fos, who operates a gallery on Magazine Street, was commissioned by Dr. Pepper to create the posters used for the 2020 LSU-Clemson national championship football game and for last year's LSU-Florida State game in the Superdome.

Prints of both "Confidence" and last year's state Capitol "Louisiana State of Mind" are available for $50 at beckyfos.com.

More: Louisiana's latest popular 'I voted' stickers are out: Are they selfie worthy?

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Louisiana's latest 'I voted' sticker is ready for election selfies