October 2014

This month I am in Europe and had meant to write my blog before my departure. It was too busy and so I am writing to you from the Netherlands, where I am having a wonderful vacation, reconnecting with family and friends.
My second tree painting has slowly been coming into its own. I am not quite finished with it, but I want to show you what I have now.

"Yolande's Great Oak"

Yolande's Oak is named for my best friend from my teenage years. She is truly a great person. I always liked this live oak tree close to the college my son, Gerald, used to attend. One day I saw it in the mist. There are 2 ruined castles on the hills, inspired by ruins in France they stand for my attempt to unite my 2 lives, the old one in Europe and the new one. As the painting was progressing I understood that it was about memory loss and ultimately Alzheimer's. The lesson is to enjoy the  parts of the tree not altered by the mist. The mist itself gives us a sense of loneliness, isolation and unfamiliarity.

Yesterday I drew this drawing of my nephew, Dimitri.