Original Artwork — “Million Dollar Smile”
By Brenda Wathen WickThis is the original, one-of-a-kind painting by Brenda Wathen Wick, titled “Million Dollar Smile.” The original artwork measures 14" x 18" and is presented in a 17 1/4" x 21 1/4" frame, making it a striking and ready-to-display piece.
This artwork can be seen in photographs of Vernon Presley’s office at Graceland. Images showing these paintings hanging in the office are included above, providing visual confirmation of the location and historical significance of Brenda’s work.
Brenda Wathen Wick is one of the few artists with a genuine, documented personal connection to the Presley family. A close friend of Vernon Presley and Sandy Miller, her work holds a rare place in Elvis history, with four original paintings with Prints permanently displayed inside Vernon Presley’s office at Graceland.
The story behind Million Dollar Smile is deeply personal and is told in Brenda’s book, The Holy Spirit, Elvis, and Me. As a young girl, Brenda recalls Elvis' Uncle Vester allowing her to pass through the gate and step onto the grass, giving her a rare, close view of Elvis Presley. On that day, Elvis was buying cars and giving them away, and Brenda witnessed the moment firsthand. This story is recounted in her book.
The smile captured in this painting is the very first thing Brenda noticed as she watched Elvis up close. That genuine, generous smile—seen with her own eyes—is what inspired this artwork. This original painting captures not only Elvis’ likeness, but the warmth, kindness, and humanity of that moment.
Original paintings by Brenda Wathen Wick are extremely limited, and opportunities to acquire an original work tied directly to a firsthand Elvis memory are exceptionally rare. This piece offers collectors and museums the chance to own a true, one-of-a-kind work of Elvis-connected history, created personally by an artist who was truly there.
