"Salutations to Sibs" SOLD

36x24" oil on gallery wrap canvas

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But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. 

—Khalil Gibran

I have been a lost ship over most of the past year, adrift from paints and canvas, but happy to be firmly back in port of studio with brushes as oars, anchored firmly in hand. 

Family took precedence last April as my 93-year-old mom came to live with us. Her stay turned out to be a short final voyage as she sailed off into the ether of sunset at the end of September. We were honored to care for her those last months of her life, as this is how families love each other. 

Toni Morrison said, “Your need a whole community to raise a child” but to care for a dying parent, I say, takes an entire family. This is what ultimately led me to this painting “Salutations to Sibs.”

I wasn't consciously aware of what was actually drawing me to paint this alluring sunrise from Martha’s Vineyard. It was only after I finished the piece, that I was struck by how much the harbor scene reminded me of my family each one dropping their anchor to tend to mom in many different ways. 

Boats moored at bay seemed the perfect metaphor for family. Our fleet is composed of a large variety of crafts, some strong and secure, some calm, soulful and gentle, others steadfast and reliable. Siblings may sail through life on different bodies of water scattered around distant shores, yet will always tether together when the day is over, or seas turn into rough stormy waters.

It seems appropriate to post this piece on Valentine’s Day to honor the eight loving vessels in my marina including Bob, Debby, Kitsy, Barb, Mary, Julie, Lolly and Dash. 

I love you all!  

nancy

To see more of my art click here, or one one of these additional links: Online Gallery • Email  • Website  •  Graphic Design Studio • Saatchi Gallery
• Fine Art America

Recent Works

"Crested Butte Frost" 6x6" oil on canvas panel

"Happily Ever After" 20x16" oil on canvas

Sometimes life calls us to be there for other people and places that need our attention, which was why I wasn't able to paint much last week. My graphic design business has been in high gear demanding all my 9-5 attention, and the evenings and weekend were chocked full with my husband's writer events, my grandson's first football scrimmage, visiting a family member in the nursing home; and then helping my sisters and brother move my mom into Assisted Living. Oh, and did I mention, cleaning my house just moments before the Health Dept. threatened to shut me down? Life can be a daring adventure!

 

I did start a new painting last night but since it's not quite ready for prime time, I thought I'd post a couple recent commissioned pieces. It's easy to paint something that literally reaches out and grabs you by the shoulders and screams in your face "paint me." But commissions are tough since you have another person's vision and emotional experience to try and capture. It's easier when the only person you have to please is yourself. Both of these painting were taken from partial photographs, so some pieces had to be made up in my mind. This is where creativity, fueled by a prayer, kicks into overdrive. 

Thank you for viewing my work.

 

nancy 

 

FREE SHIPPING

I am offering FREE shipping within the U.S. on all paintings in my Daily Paint Works,  ebay and  Etsy stores. These small paintings look great in groups of two or more, and add interest and charm to an entry, kitchen, bath, sitting on a bookshelf, or other small areas.