A promise to my Father | fine art

“Lost” was one of the very few paintings my Father saw before his illness which was sadly followed by his death a few years later. I remember his face when I showed him; one never gets too old to show your parents what you have created. I’ve always had a lot of hobbies and interests, more than a single lifetime would allow. Near the very end of his life my Father told me that I should pick one passion and do it. He said, “you should paint”.

To say his death hit me hard is an understatement, but it was then that I made a promise to myself to make 100 paintings in five years. I didn’t know what I was doing, I didn’t have a “style”, and I didn’t know what it would take to reach that goal. I worked every single day for three hours minimum. After working on a number of paintings, I found myself focused on the colour and expression of each piece. At the time I completed this painting titled “Lost”, I began seeing results; people were referring to my work as colourful, expressive, and healing. The pain of my father’s death gave my life new meaning and painting became my passion.

Many years and hundreds of paintings later, my heart is content with the knowledge that I have fulfilled my promise to my father. With the ongoing, tremendous love and encouragement of my Mother, painting saved my life and I am forever grateful to my parents for pushing and encouraging me to find my one true passion. From the very first painting I ever made, I knew that this was what I was meant to do with my life. The act of painting is cathartic for me; it allows me to channel all of my emotions into something beautiful. Every painting is a piece of my soul and I am so grateful to be able to share them with the world. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for everything. I love you.