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| THE ROSES (Three Angels Surrounded by Love) oil on panel 12" x 16" |
During our stay in Victoria this past winter, as I was about to settle into a painting session at a friend's studio, I spied Marcela's version of THE ROSES. I asked her if she'd mind my trying to emulate it. Her answer was not only "Please do", she happily described the process, she'd learned in a workshop, loaned me the amazing transparent reds to achieve the look and sent me away with her reference photo so that I could finish it at home.
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| THE ROSES at the end of our time in Marcela's studio |
When I began the painting I had no plan for its destiny but once home, as we were planing The Friendship Tour to conclude with a 25th wedding anniversary celebration, I decided that it would make the perfect gift. My cousin Claudine and her husband Marc have two sons and a daughter. It came to me that the white roses symbolized the three kids and the red roses were the surrounding love which the parents have always shown and continue to bestow upon their children. With this love and support Adam, Nick and Ericka have thrived and blossomed to become the incredibly creative adults they are.
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| Finishing THE ROSES in my backyard playhouse, May 4th, 2016 |
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| Presenting THE ROSES, June 2, 2016 |
The Friendship Tour took us on an amazing journey, we stopped at many places in southern Ontario and Quebec - but that's a story for another day. Toward the end of the tour we spent several days with Claudine, Marc and family enjoying the comforts and warm hospitality of their home in Longueuil (south shore Montreal).
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| Yours truly with my Aunt Loretta, Claudine, Bill, Marc and Ericka, June 7th, 2016 |
On June 7th, we bid the family farewell, pretending that this was the last they'd see of us on our trip, only to return a few days later to attend their surprise party but I don't think we fooled either of them. Still it was an honour to be a part of the grand event where family and friends came together to honour Claudine and Marc ...
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| Ericka, Virginie (Adam's fiancee), Nick, Marc, Claudine, Adam and Claudine's mom, Loretta (my mother's sister) June 11th, 2016 |
