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My dad died on January 2, 2013. He was my source of inspiration, rock of a support and my biggest fan. During the last weeks of his life, my family came to rely heavily on Hospice Care to help us and to give my mom a much needed rest. I had known of the Care Dimensions Auction and reached out to CEO Diane Stringer, whom I have known for many years, to see about being the featured artist for the 2016 Gala. She happily agreed and invited me to the 2015 Gala to help me get a feel for the event.
As I sat at the Gala, I remember wondering “What subject will I paint?” And then I realized the Sailing Regatta was part of the event and I decided to feature the sailing races that take place in the Cape Ann harbor throughout the summer months.
After an excursion on my friend and fellow Endicott professor Mike Miller’s boat photographing the races, I realized the boats alone would not offer enough of a subject and decided a coastal theme would be more suitable for my purpose. I visited Cape Ann many times over the ensuing months to photograph the rugged coastline, crashing waves, churning seas and changing skies this area is so famous for and to get a more complete subject for the painting. I combined several of these photographs and eventually had enough material to begin the painting.
I then got down to the business of creating the painting. Slowly it took shape and I remembered to take the time to post its progress on Social Media, including the Endicott VPAC Facebook group. Thus, I was able to record the genesis of the painting and share my story with my viewers, co-workers and friends of Care Dimensions.
This years Auction and Gala is scheduled for Friday, June 17 at the Boston Yacht Club in Marblehead. I hope the painting is well received by attendees. It is the best painting I could create in memory of my dad.
