My brother Ray - 16X20" acrylics on canvas (unfinished)
My APAD is on hiatus as my brother continues to battle with COPD. The excruciating Yin/Yang pattern of horrible lows wherein he struggles to breathe, like a fish out of water – to the wonderful highs where his grey pallor is awash in pink - are both wonderfully exhilirating and absolutely exhausting! I felt the need to take some time out and be with friends and experience belly laughs and paint.
I felt compelled to paint him as I want to capture his soul while it is fresh in my mind. He is my big brother, a personable character. Quick witted and thoughtful. Always quick with a joke and a staunch Montreal Canadians hockey fan. He has taught me much about letting go when you feel powerless. About how all kinds of attrocities may occur to your mind and body but no matter what, they can't take away your essence. Your soul. Your love. He is fiercely independent and yet can't take care of himself. A man with no material things - yet he is content with his lot in life. A simple man yet very complex. Last week - for the umpteenth time, he was on his deathbed - yet today as he has done numerous times, he is asking for another cigarette and a coffee. He says he will outlive us all - I believe so because his memory will never die.
I started painting one 4"X4" miniature daily on May 1st 2015. After a near fatal drowning experience in 2013, I realized just how precious life is and I wondered why I was waiting to do what I loved most. I just wasn't finding the time.
It took a while to commit to it, but a year later, I decided I just had to make the time and I enrolled in some fine art acrylic painting classes. Under my teacher, Sharon Moore-Foster, I gained confidence and found my soul's voice through my paintings.
Now I am fully committed to expressing myself through my fine art – to leave my mark in this world.
These gems are for sale through this website where I started an online store.
Just click to the link "Store" in the menu above to view my works and/or purchase.
I also do larger works and portrait commissions. Just email me or follow my page on Facebook and message me.