In elementary school, during the last class I would watch the clock slowly tick, until the final bell would ring. I’d bolt out of the classroom and run home. I knew that the delicious fragrance an oil painter creates with their tools would greet me. At last, I could see the progress my mother had made on her painting. I was always amazed. With color, shape, lighting, and design, she made progress in beautiful ways only someone skilled in art could imagine. As I watched her progress, I grew to understand why oil painting can take a long time. I worked for months on this painting. It grew in depth of color and maturity, sometimes just a few small strokes at a time.

I’m glad it found a home, most likely in England, because that is where it was sold. This artistic effort has an international reach with artists from many countries contributing their art. I’m also happy that it’s sale helps Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity for children with terminal or life threatening illnesses. It is a pleasure to share the love I have for my mother because of her love for me, with children, and their families who need help. David Sandum has done the world a brilliant favor by creating this lovely event for artists to step up and help those in need. “Through art we can change the world.” – #twitterartexhibit, @twitterartexhibit, @DavidSandum, mollyolly.co.uk

Sold!

My congratulations to the new owner of my large whimsical oil painting, “I Felt Like a Dork in School Today.”

Painting the 22″ x 28″ oil on canvas was a joy as I imagined the stories and personalities of the many different kinds of fish. Hidden among the multitude is the one who gave the painting its title. The awkward fellow has many of the issues youth deal with. He wears glasses, has spots on his face, and has braces on his fishy teeth. I know fish don’t usually have teeth, but I wanted my empathy for young orthodontic wearers to be obvious. I still remember the embarrassment of being required to wear a headband attached to my orthodontic braces.

Almost everyone has something they struggle with. People often don’t notice the “horrible” thing that is making us cringe about ourselves, but when they do, it may bring them comfort as they realize that they are not alone in their effort to get through life with their own oddity.