If you go through some of my already available work, it's inevitable to notice that i often paint animals enduring the elements. In a way, this is a symbolic representation of what I have witnessed in my life, while my mother was sick (she had renal failure and was on dialysis for ten years).
Don't get me wrong, i had a beautiful life while growing up, as my parents made sure that my life (and my sisters) was not affected by the situation at home. With my paintings i want to make it known to the world that i not only saw my mother as a fighter, but my dad too.
He was a warrior next to my mum.
Her very presence made him a hero. She was very strong and made us laugh even when she was in pain, but my dad turned into a partner anyone would wish for.
He fought for her.
Didn’t accept no for an answer.
There had to be a way.
If he wasn’t there to fight through the hospital systems, governments, financial institutions, i would have probably lost my mother when i was 14 and my sister 13. Thanks to his fight and his ability to not only to care for my mum, but also for his teenage girls, we had 10 more happy years with my mum. We would’ve lost her so many times when she had the renal failure.
Therefore, I paint these animals among the clouds, or in a storm in honour of my parents who are truly my greatest inspiration.
I represent the fact that through your hardships, regardless how many people you have around you, you travel alone.
You endure the pain alone.
No one can feel what you do. But even tho you are alone, there is the blessing of strength when you are at the weakest, and the love of those around you to carry you through the hardest when you are not able to.
I sometimes paint light and joyful animals, as a presentation of the moments of victory, regardless how short or long lived they were. Through them, i show my mother's strength when she didn't allow her pain to be noticed, so she doesn't mark our memories. The energy it took to have a normal life, where we would go shopping or have a normal girl gossip. She gave us so many precious moments.
This is why I always say that my parents are my hero’s, and they always will be. With them, the darkest moment had a lot of light in them. Without them and their strength, the lightest moments have a lot of darkness in them.
The reason why i wished to write this blog, is to make the reader show their parents how much they appreciate them. Show them your love and gratitude for as long as they are alive and even after that.
Remember, they are humans and they learn as they go.
Love them.
With the positive and negative.
In conclusion, i made many realisations, especially after i became a parent. My paintings are reflecting my experience, my love, my strength. I hope anyone who connects with my work, gets to grow and understand the true meaning of the paintings they have in their home. I hope it changes them, and with that the cycle of my gratitude will be completed.