August... on my mind

This still life symbolizes a blend of summer which encapsulates memories of both my parents. My Dad's awakened tastes for ripened summer fruit and corn is paired with my Mom's penchant for equally colourful and fragrant roadside flowers.

The card "Keep Smilin" was pinned to a cork board in his basement "Inner Sanctum" retreat. It is now tacked to my own cork board facing this computer space where I retreat to to think and write.

In 2015 we were blessed to share this festive weekend with Joan and Allison here in Rockport.We were optimistic as Allie passed the halfway marker in her chemotherapy that she would emerge healthy and victorious over this dreaded cancer that threatened her life.

August is once again ... on my mind. But in a whole new fashion. Allie has joined Mom and Dad. Who could have believed????....

But today my memories of her are added to theirs. All I can do is continue to believe in her miracle... and to serve them with Faith and Courage. I paint... I feel and I dig deeply to continue my journey for each of them.

"He who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How."  - Friedrich Neitzche

Happy Birthday Mom and Dad... I love you FOREVER Jemima Puddle Duck!

God bless the three of you! I love each of you forever.

Till we meet again...


"He leadeth me beside still  waters... and fields of ripening hay" It restoreth my soul.

"God's Green Acres" -  recent plein air oil on canvas 10x14 inches

Alone... Together

Strange "couple" here in this title. But they do in fact best describe both my state of mind at times... and my connection to Allison. This Yin and Yang pairing perhaps create a better understanding of the complex dynamics of grief and loss... and also the process whereby one navigates this "new normal".

There is no setting aside the deeply embedded yearning for her presence... nor are there any words to sufficiently describe or soften the ongoing grief that we who loved her so dearly feel because of her absence. But paradoxically, within the state of aloneness that grief creates there also exists an opposing and unexpected feeling of togetherness.

My painting serves today as it always has in my life as something that I pursue with joy and passion. It is the rudder and the compass of my ship. Art conjoined Allie and I during our entire lives... and even in death's company... Art draws us strangely ever together in spirit and purpose.

Shown below is a smallish plein air sketch completed during this past week. It was completed on site in less than two hours and lifted my spirits greatly.

"Summer Psalm" - oil on canvas 10 x 12 inches

And for my own purposes at this moment...  I can "see" Beyond.

I love Jemima Puddle Duck... forever!

Dad

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Good Painting !... to ALL... and rich blessings.