The Story Behind Helping Hand

Imagine yourself on one of those tourist adventures in St Lucia (a tropical island in the West Indies). Imagine that you just completed the open-topped-jeep part of the adventure and you saw parts of the rain forest, a cocoa plantation, some waterfalls, the Gros and Petit Pitons (volcanic plugs), and some sulfur springs. You ate lunch at a picturesque, quaint restaurant that overlooks the Caribbean Sea. Now you are relaxing on the boat part of the adventure. There’s rum punch for all, made in a plastic garbage can, and the music of the island is blaring from speakers that probably need replacing. You are enjoying the warm summer rays on your face and the wind in your hair as the boat glides over the aquamarine colored water. Beautifully and brightly colored houses and shops line the shoreline as you pass……

This was where I was when I captured the image that inspired “Dive Shop”.

Upon coming into view of the dive shop, I observed several young men in a small boat and they appeared to be fishing. I couldn’t see from where I was, whether or not they had been successful in their attempts to catch fish. Who knows, maybe they weren’t fishing at all. But in my mind, and in my memory, they were. This scene stayed in my mind as I left this beautiful island.

When I returned home, this adventure and scene inspired several works of art. As you, may or may not, know, I always create my work in groups of two. One piece is the image ingrained in mind (and in pixels). The other is an interpretation of the scene in an abstract or figurative way. Everyone needs a “Helping Hand” and now and then, so far away, back at home, I wished this for them!

More about St Lucia (though not an authoritative source :)
St Lucia

My Dad, the Benchwarmer!

No, this isn’t about sports, and my dad was a good athlete, so I doubt he sat on the sidelines much. This IS, however, about a “bench.”

I have always LOVED working with my hands, working with tools, and creating “stuff.” My first recollection of constructing anything was when I made a “bench” for my dad. I don’t recall my age. If I had to guess, I would say I was between 5-7 years. I don’t remember, either, whether the “bench” was for his birthday or for Father’s Day. I do, however, remember how ingenious, creative and innovative I felt I was. This “bench” was the best idea ever and would be a wonderful gift!!

Okay, so my dad actually helped me build the “bench, ” but the idea was MINE. First, we (he) cut a 2” x 4” board into 3 pieces. We used a hand saw and mitre box. This is the actual saw and mitre box. (My dad keeps almost everything.)

Second, we connected the three pieces with nails and a hammer (sorry, he did NOT keep the bench to show you):

Third, I painted the “bench” myself in shades of blue , and presented “my” gift to Dad. He was grateful, but, I’m fairly confident that he never actually warmed the bench. :)

Through this first memorable experience of using tools and construction, I learned to be proud and empowered by my ideas. I still feel that way each and every time I finish a piece of artwork now! My tools today are much more sophisticated, however!!

Blog Name Change- 2 X

Saturday, I changed the blog name.

Today, I changed the blog name again. The new new title encompasses me better!

And on the blog wagon I go (again.)