48″ x 36″
Acrylic on 1 1/2″ Gallery Wrapped Canvas
Ready to Hang
50% of proceeds from the sale of “Waiting Up” will be donated to the Morgan Adams Foundation for pediatric cancer research. Morgan died when she was about six years old from Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer.
After I learned about this organization and their mission, I wanted to create a special piece to support this amazing foundation. My plan initially was to create a smaller painting, but that day, when I stepped into my studio, the first thing I saw was a huge canvas that had been leaning against the wall for several years. That was the canvas. Are you kidding me? It was at that moment, I knew exactly what painting I was going to create and it deserved to be on this canvas. I wasn’t sure about the perspective or what the critters would look like, but I had the concept and it was based on this picture I drew a year ago in my journal.
Here’s the story of “Waiting Up” and why I think it came together so quickly and was meant to be on this canvas.
- I know about Glioblastoma Multiforme brain cancer because my brother-in-law, John, died of it over twenty years ago. It was devastating, even more so because we had no idea where to begin or what it was. We couldn’t even pronounce it.
- I have a good friend who just finished chemo for breast cancer. She’s going to kick cancer’s butt! She’s a super hero, cape and all. Love you, my friend.
- My dog, Olive, who is featured in this painting, died of bone cancer five years ago. She and Scarlett, who was a puppy at the time, loved to look out through the security door and smothered me with love whenever I walked in the front door. I had photos of those moments and used them for reference.
- Cancer sucks and so many family members and friends have fought this battle. There are brilliant people working on a cure every day and this foundation helps fund that research.
- The Reiki symbol for protection and strength is painted on the back wall.
- Olive and Scarlett’s collars have original letters from the 1860’s collaged on underneath the glazed red and blue paint. They are difficult to see unless you look closely. These 150+ year old letters were gifted to me by a friend who asked that I give them new life in my paintings. The handwritten letters spoke of blessings, good health and a safe trip home. Was that intentional? No. It seems some things are just meant to happen.
- Dogs, to me, represent unconditional love. They demand so little and give so much. It doesn’t matter who we are, how much we make, whether we are having a good or bad day, they love us even when we don’t deserve it. They will continue to wait, because that’s what love does.
Not every painting I create has so much meaning to me personally. I love them all and they make me smile, laugh and cry sometimes. But some…some of them come from very deep places. This painting never would have come to life in this shape and form if it weren’t for these special circumstances. This is for my brother-in-law, John, my friend who is beating breast cancer, my sweet Olive and everyone who has and is struggling with this terrible disease.
