Artsy Fartsy Friday~~~ The Caregiver

Hi All!
             I'm sorry I have not been able to post for the last few days. I have been running around to doctors and M.R.Is and specialists and cooking and cleaning and being Mom, Wife, Daughter and nurse. I am tired. Over at Mynx's place Dribble she invited people to post their own art work ...
 I wanted to post something current but every time I put brush to canvas or pencil to pad I would hear my name being called.
                           MOM can You....


                            Joanne, I need.....
                     
                            Mom! where are.....


  

I have my Mom here while she recuperates from her fall and yesterday I took out a painting I did  years ago. It is called "The Caregiver". I wanted to enter a open call that a local Art Museum had. The theme was "Stilled Life" and I immediately thought of not  bowls of fruit or inanimate objects, but a life that has been "stilled" by illness.

I painted this couple maybe they are in their late 70's or early eighties.  The museum didn't choose this painting and so I took it back home and placed it on it's side in my guest room/office.

I did not have models. But to me this couple became very "real". I have know quite a number of people who have become caregivers to their spouses or parents. I admire their faith and patience as they gracefully get through every day against unbelievable circumstances.


In my painting the man suffers from Alzheimer's. His wife lovingly smooths his hair. He blankly stares ahead. She is now the keeper of all those years together. She is now the keeper of their memories. She loves and cares for him no matter what.   On the wall is a picture of him in an army uniform and some sort of medal rests on a small shelf. On the right wall is their black and white wedding picture

When she looks, really looks she still sees the young man she married. she loves him with all her heart.

On the table to the left in an old fashioned phone because they never found a reason to get rid of it. Next to the phone are his prescriptions.

On the far right is a record player. the kind that had a lid and sort of turned into a table when closed, but now it is opened and as you can see it is playing a record. Maybe it's their song?

On another side table are pictures of their children or grandkids.

I hope you liked my painting. It is the first time more than just my family or the people from that art museum have seen it.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Blessings, Joanne