I’m a creative, experienced, multi-purpose artist and art director
who can take projects start to finish in a variety of styles.

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Saturday, May 22, 2010

"Early"
















I loved camping when I was a kid. My family went all over Canada, New York, and Pennsylvania. My dad was intent on finding the most isolated places to pitch our tent, and I have lots of stories about our (mis)adventures along the way.

One of my favorite memories is how my dad used to pick me up in my sleeping bag and tuck me into the canoe before anyone else was awake. I woke up to the quiet dip and drip of the paddle and cool mist on my face while the water slid beneath us in a soft, metallic slither of fading dreams.

I loved this. I loved waking up on water. I loved waking up with the frogs and birds. I loved the fact that my father chose to take me with him instead of my siblings. I happily helped him catch breakfast, and enjoyed coming back to the campfire where Mom was making coffee and eggs. I still love fried eggs and fish for breakfast.

Seeing my dad paddle in the mist was something I knew in that moment I would remember. I experienced it as fully as I could. I paid attention to the cool beads of mist on my cheeks, the call of the first bird across the lake, that drip, drip of the paddle before it sliced into the water for another stroke, the force of each stroke shooting us forward then slowly fading before the next stroke. The warmth of my sleeping bag and the peaceful expression on Dad's face gave me ultimate security.

My dad died young, our family quit camping, and home wasn't peaceful, but I'm left with a memory that matters. It was a perfect moment in the paddle's water drops and beads of Canadian mist.

18 comments:

  1. Beautifully written and illustrated.
    Very nice.

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  2. This is so wonderful--plus nice memories of our canoe trips together!

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  3. This is beautiful Linda. Love the calm and peacefullness. You have captured this wonderful moment forever in your amazing style.

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  4. Beautiful painting and a beautiful memory. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Linda, i like so much your painting!!! realy i feel that is early!!congrats.

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  6. Thank you! It's been a long time since I've attempted a landscape, and it's nice to get positive feedback.

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  7. What a heartwarming story and a beautiful illustration.

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  8. Thanks for the comments, and I really appreciate the people choosing to follow too!!

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  9. Hello Linda. well I know it's been said, but this is very beautiful, you have captured the essence of the moment I think.

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  10. What a beautiful story, thanks for sharing! You captured the mood very well.

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  11. I am reading this just a few hours after my dad's funeral. It is wonderful: the painting, the memory.... and your being aware, then, that that was an experience worth savouring and remembering...

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  12. Thanks so much, and Barbara, best of everything. I'm so sorry about your dad. I didn't realize that writing about my memories could be a hope for you at such a time. Remember the good stuff!

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  13. I'm glad you sent me here from your current post. It makes me think of my dad, too.

    How special those memories are of the two of you on the water in the canoe, which is beautifully illustrated.

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