Saturday, April 30, 2011

In Memoriam

5"x 7" watercolor and ink on Arches 140 lb. cold press paper
This watercolor is based upon a photograph by Morten Liebach. You can find it here. I was amazed by the complexity and beauty of the pattern in the dragonfly's slender body. As the wings were difficult to discern from Mr. Liebach's photograph, I snatched the wings from another photograph, taken by Dean Gugler, which you can find here.

In this watercolor my goals were to achieve texture, and to explore the effect of luminosity as described by Faber Birren in his book "Creative Color", and in the more accessible book "Exploring Color" by Nita Leland. Both of these works were introduced to me by Myrna Wacknov. She was kind enough to send me an e-mail about Nita Leland, and unless you want a more scholarly tome, Nita Leland is the authority I'd recommend. I return to both books now and again.

I am dedicating this small painting to the memory of my father. Joel G. Kent, a victim of Parkinson's Disease, was released from years of suffering and decline on Monday. His death falls on the calendar just 7 days after the anniversary of the death of my daughter, Taylor. Last year's post, in Taylor's memory, is here. Perhaps they are together, comfortable and whole, casually reading this blog post via heavenly connection by modem to the world-wide-web. I hope so.

Joel Gilbert Kent, March 13, 1933 to April 25, 2011.

44 comments:

  1. A lovely tribute Dan. My condolences on the death of your father.

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  2. I am so sorry for the loss of both your father and your daughter. This amazing dragonfly is a wonderful memorial to both.

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  3. Lovely dragonfly, Dan. My heart goes out to you for both of your losses. Your poem brought tears to my eyes.

    xoxo

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  4. I am sorry for both of your losses- but such a lovely thought that perhaps they are together and enjoying your blog post for them.

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  5. I read someplace that the dragonfly symbolizes the "fulcrum between the mundane and the mystical," making it a powerful choice to memorialize your father. I am so, so sorry, Dan, for your loss.

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  6. Beautiful, beautiful work Dan, so sorry to hear of your loss

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  7. A beautiful tribute. The freedom to fly and soar is something we humans long for and the insects get. I hope your dad and your daughter are both soaring together where human limits no longer matter.

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  8. I have a brother and an aunt with Parkinson's Disease. I am so sorry for the passing of your father. I read your heartbreaking poem to your daughter...very beautiful.

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  9. Dan, that painting is fantastic! I think it is absolutely one of your best..it is wonderful...complex but simple and the colors are just perfect. It reminds me of something Egyptian. I googled the symbol of the Dragonfly and it all seemed to speak about your Father and your daughter:
    "The meaning of a dragonfly changes with each culture. The main symbolisms of the dragonfly are renewal, positive force and the power of life in general. Dragonflies can also be a symbol of the sense of self that comes with maturity. Also, as a creature of the wind, the dragonfly frequently represents change. And as a dragonfly lives a short life, it knows it must live its life to the fullest with the short time it has - which is a lesson for all of us".

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  10. So sorry to hear about your father Dan. And it's a beautiful drawing. I am pretty sure your dad is taking good care of Taylor now.

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  11. You are in my thoughts this morning - so sorry to hear of your loss. I followed your link to the poem you wrote when you lost your daughter - it is a beautiful and profound poem.

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  12. A beautiful dragonfly Dan. I love the textures and colors. The bits of silver in the body are just spectacular. Truly, truly beautiful.

    You and your family are in my thoughts as you deal with these losses.

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  13. My deepest condolences Dan. Somewhere both your Dad and daughter are together looking down and appreciating the very beautiful dragonfly you painted for them.

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  14. What a loving tribute to your dad. I do hope that you are going to frame this and not just add it to your stack. You've had some hits in your life, yet you reflect such joy. It's nice to know you, even if only through the internet.

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  15. Dan, you have my deepest condolences and my heart goes out to you and your family. This tribute to your father is sush a lovely way to show your love and memory of him. I remember your tribute to your daughter, it made me cry (and it opened up some old memories of my own, and made me feel free that we can talk and share about our losses). I trully believe that your father is now with your daughter, and together they see how wonderful you're as a son, father and artist. Beautiful tribure Dan, hugs to you and your family.

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  16. What a beautiful tribute to your daughter and your father. I read the poem you wrote when your daughter left this world, I can't tell you how touching and meaningful it was to read it. Thank you for sharing such profound grief with us and for daring to hope. Your loving celebration of your loved one lives will come back to you ten fold...blessings to you and your family and comfort as you deal with yet another loss.

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  17. Dan, thank you for sharing your tributes to your father and daughter. I still miss my dad, who died in 1995. I also know the pain of seeing a child suffer. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

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  18. Simply beautiful; such a meaningful tribute. You and your family are in my thoughts.

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  19. Oh Dan what a lovely tribute to your Dad and your daughter... I am so sorry to hear of your loss.. words escape me at times like this... I have no doubt your Dad and Taylor both are so proud of you and smiling and happy now in the hands of the Lord.

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  20. A beautiful, sensitive painting. The textured background is the perfect place for the dragonfly. It's a fitting memorial for both of your loved ones; very evocative.

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  21. Hi Dan. I was touched by your tribute to your Dad, and by the words you wrote following the loss of your daughter. I am so sorry for the suffering you and your family have endured. It occurred to me that every creative endeavor you have pursued since, has been an act of hope. My heart goes out to you and your family. Hold on to that hope. Terri

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  22. Dan, So sorry to hear of your loss. What a lovely idea to dedicate something beautiful like your dragonfly painting to your father.

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  23. Your dragonfly is wonderfully done. I sat for quite a while looking at and enjoying the nuances of texture and color before I started reading. Then I looked again with your words resonating in my mind and could only think, "What a wonderful tribute!"

    My condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts.

    -Don

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  24. I'm sorry for your loss. Your painting is a wonderful tribute to the beauty and complexity of the cycle of life.

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  25. I am so sorry to hear about your recent losses Dan. This dragonfly is so delicate and beautiful it makes a lovely trubute to your lost loved one. All the best to you. - Sara

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  26. Dan, I am both sorry for your loss and amazed at how you turn the pain into such powerful and creative images. I just read the poem for your daughter and it touched my heart deeply as I lost a brother 30 years ago: he was born premature and his lungs weren't strong enough... Thank you for your sharing, it help us all heal and keep up hope.
    Much peace and light,
    Minerva.

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  27. Very beautiful Dan, a wonderful tribute.
    Your inner strength shows in your work.

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  28. Sorry to hear about your loss. I lost my dad some 30+ years ago.

    Great tribute. Beautiful dragonfly.

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  29. Your dragonfly is beautifully luminous. So sorrry to hear of the loss of your father. I know what a hard time it is. Take care.

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  30. I think this is a beautiful memorial to your father. I think you achieved your goals in painting it too.

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  31. Your painting is beautiful in both its simplicity and complexity. losses. Your poem was so poignant and it touched me deeply. Your generosity in sharing it with all of us is truly amazing. I'm sorry for both of your losses and hope that you find comfort in your family, friends, and art. nancy

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  32. I have found that images can help where words fail. I think you've proved me right.

    Sue

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  33. Thank you so much for your kind words. They have helped me along.

    Thanks also for your descriptions of the meaning of the dragonfly - I had no idea, it just seemed right.

    Celeste and Don - I am so complimented that you found so much merit in this work. I was also surprised and pleased with the result. It seems to point to new ways of thinking about what I do.

    Thank you also to everyone else that complimented on the painting and you folks that found luminosity, and complexity and simplicity and texture! It was a rewarding challenge.

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  34. Beautiful painting and thoughts to go with it. Great to look around your blog again.
    Continued success!

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  35. Dan, I am so sorry about the loss of your father and of your daughter. The dragonfly painting is a beautiful tribute to your father, and the poem is amazing. May God give you peace!

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  36. Stunningly beautiful dragonfly, unlike anything I've seen from you. Also a stunningly beautiful poem. A sweet and loving tribute to your dad. And yes, I remember your daughter and you discussing her passing. Such sorrows in our lives. You did a wonderful job honoring your dad's passing. I'm proud of you.

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  37. Dan, I'm very sorry to hear your sad news. What you've done as a tribute is terrific. I find when big things threaten to get me down, concentrating on little things somehow makes me see the big picture better. Your attention to detail in this watercolour is mighty fine. The texture on the background looks like cheesecloth. It really works well with the roadwork of lines in the wings.

    Tchao-wow,
    ruca

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  38. Sorry I'm so late in responding to this, Dan.

    I'm so sorry for your loss, losing a parent is incredibly hard but this is a beautiful memoriam.

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  39. What a sweet tribute. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss,

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  40. Hi Dan! How are you? I just wanted to stop by and say hello. It's been a long while now. I hope you're well. I'm really sorry to read about your father's passing. My thoughts are with you.

    Heather

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  41. Thanks so much all. I'm beginning to feel like myself again, and should be posting soon, and hopefully visiting more too. ruca, thanks for your advice. Sarah, you are never late. And Heather, so glad to hear from you again! I am so glad you are back!

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  42. Dan, I sorry to hear about your dad. I hope you are doing well under the circumstances.
    And it's only now that I have found about your daughter. Apologies and my heart goes out to you and your family.

    The dragonfly is a beautiful tribute to your dad.

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  43. Sorry for your loss, Dan. Its good to know your daughter is already waiting to receive your Dad, in perfect form, without any of his Parkinson's Disease. Very nice tribute you did for him.

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