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
So sorry to not have visited more often. Your work is delightful and so full of colour and style. A very pleasant visit for me to see all your beautiful painting !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for you visit and comment. Feel free to visit again... as often as you are able.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Bruce
The flowers and fruit of the summer are bold and bright - enough to brighten any day; and your plein air painting is so beautiful. I'm not sure one every comes to terms with the kind of loss you've had but we are all being gifted with your artwork as you paint and chat and move along the path. Autumn is just around the corner, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteHi Bruce, good to hear your voice again and see your bonny paintings so full of life and sunshine.
ReplyDeleteGood morning Rhonda!... Thank you for coming by to share time and your encouraging words. The loss of a child... at any age surely puts life out of order... and leaves a bottomless hole in one's heart.
ReplyDeleteIt comes down really to shrivelling up and increasing that loss... or choosing to see the other blessings in life and using that gratitude as a springboard to create a healthy "new normal".
My painting has always been my salvation in other difficult parts of my life. It has also been a conduit to creating and maintaining friendships like ours.
I find great solace in the act of painting en plein air and for sharing those special moments in my journey with special friends like you.
Stay tuned... autumn brings another blessing of colour and majesty.
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Good morning Lass!... Thank you for your continued presence and voice here at my blog. It pleases me greatly to share my journey and paintings with you.
ReplyDeleteSharing blessings increases their value and power!
Good painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce
Good Evening Bruce. What a clever idea to have the flowers and fruit, symbolising your parents' characters, united in one composition, in art as in life.
ReplyDeleteYour hayfield, surrounded by wildflowers and deep green trees, seems to sum up all that's good about this time of year.
All the best,
Keith
Good evening Keith!... Thanks for your encouraging critique on these two works. Haven't done much still life in a while... maybe I'll cast my line in that direction and try my luck!
ReplyDeleteSummer's on the wane... but the rich ripening golds and greens that do show themselves in late summer are always a pleasure to paint... and smell! HA HA!!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards,
Bruce