Reverence II

This 12" x 12" oil painting, "Reverence II", was created to honor the incredible power of the ocean.  When I finish the first painting in this series a couple of years ago, I was particularly disheartened by news of yet another oil spill in the ocean. I was sad and mad.  The ocean is a sacred place for me ...one which should be loved and respected ... always.

One of my favorite sayings is a Swedish proverb. "The cure for anything is saltwater: sweat, tears or the sea".  For the most part, I find this statement to be true.  2013 has been a year of sweat, tears and the sea for sure!  The New Year started with a dip in the cold ocean on Cape Cod and lots of tears as I processed an emotional end to 2012 (losing my father-in-law to cancer, the horrible tragedy in Newtown, CT and completing my cancer treatment(those were tears of relief as I processed the weight of having had cancer). The sweat came as I worked to get my physical strength back.  Luckily, I got to the ocean a lot in 2013 (Cape Cod, Gloucester, Key Biscayne and Northern California where - thanks to some special friends - I got to see the Pacific Ocean for the very first time).  I have been busy working on putting these waves to canvas, board and paper and look forward to doing more and larger ones in 2014! 

Yesterday, the same day that I was to deliver "Reverence II" to a client who was purchasing it, I found out that a friend, Erica, had passed away.  A mutual friend connected Erica and me when we were both diagnosed with cancer at the same time.  Erica and I had the immediate connection of our cancer, but, more importantly, she was an "ocean girl" like me - Hawaii for her and Cape Cod for me.  So, I am ending the year with tears learning of her passing.  So, Erica, this ones for you....peace, love and aloha.  xoxo