She Has a Story

You may ask who is this girl in Put on Some Shades and Chillax.  She is more than just a focal point in a painting.  She has a story as we all do.  

​Years ago, my daughter and I came across a Rubbermaid container at a flea market.  The container was filled with letters, handwritten poems, photos, love notes, cards, illustrations, and even a subpoena.  Every single item chronicled the lives of one particular couple from when they first met, through marriage, and children.

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My daughter and I were first saddened that someone’s memorabilia ended up forgotten, given away, and for sale at a flea market.  Then, we became wrapped up in all the possibilities of using these items in our art and in a way that would be preserve the images and stories of these strangers.  Now the real conflict began in how we would choose exactly what to buy out of the box.  My husband, who is ever so wise, bought the entire box for us. 

On the ride home from Raleigh, we began to scour through all the contents and it was like piecing together a love story along with all its ups and down.  Each letter from when the couple first met, to dating, and then well into marriage overflowed with terms of endearment, sentimental words, missing each other, and/or even apologies.  Family problems were even seen through one letter written to the mom from a son who had run away.  In the writings he reassures her that he’s okay and to please not tell Dad.  

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One odd item that was preserved in the keepsake box was a subpoena for the wife.  Apparently, she was a witness in a murder case.  This provided such an intriguing mystery for my daughter and I to unravel.  Of all things to learn, we found out that the defendant is listed in The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers.  

Put on Some Shades and Chillax is in remembrance of Dot and to everyone who is living life with all its beautiful ups and downs in which sometimes you just have to put on some shades, take in all the glory around you, and chillax.

"Put on Some Shades and Chillax" 8" x 12" Mixed media

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