Gifts of love

"The Green Camp" 12x12 " 1.5 inches thick, Acrylic on Gallery-wrapped canvas.

This year I decided to make my brother a painting as a gift for his birthday. We have many fond memories of this camp we used to rent on Togus Pond in Maine when we were children; it had been built by my great-grandfather and was handed down in the family. My Mom would rent it from her uncle for a week in the summer (and my Dad's parents would rent it too; so we would stay there!). All of my formative summer memories are of this place; it's also the place where we tearfully found out my sweet Grandmother had passed away on the night of July 4th when I was about to turn 5. 

Anyway, eventually those who cared for it passed away leaving it to relatives who DID NOT care for it. It currently sits in ruin by the lake...the lawn filled in with trees, brush, and poison ivy. The house is rotted and caving in. It is truly so heartbreaking for us. I often have dreams about it in it's former glory; it weighs on my heart like a cold stone. I wanted to capture it as I remember it and share that with the one who understands. I'm happy to report he loved his painting and I couldn't be more thrilled. It's not the STUFF in our life; it's the MEMORIES that make meaning. Nothing can take that away.