RAGS TO RICHES

  English Version - *version française dessous*


RAGS TO RICHES

It was my parent’s story that inspired me to create my “Rags to Riches” collection of paintings.  Dad was a soldier posted in London during World War II. In 1943, he met and married my British Mother. After the war, they started with very little. Dad worked as a courier for a jewelry company and Mom worked part time as a bookkeeper… all while raising four young children. In 1958, they bought a small jewelry company. That is the “Rags” part. 

 

My parents did not leave my three siblings or me a lot of money.  They gave us unconditional love… “Riches” which were far more valuable than anything else they could have given us. For me, “Riches” is not about money or the wealth someone accumulates during their lifetime... it is what you give to others. It is the legacy that you leave behind and it comes in many forms.

 

Think about the painter Claude Monet.  He started with nothing. He borrowed money constantly and moved from place to place to avoid his creditors. Then, things changed. He created and sold about 2,500 paintings in his lifetime.  He became fabulously wealthy. Vincent Van Gogh on the other hand created about 2,000 works of art and died penniless. In fact, he only sold one painting. But neither painter is remembered for their money or lack thereof… both artists left behind an incredible gift to humankind... their art and those precious pieces will outlive us all.

 

Mom and Dad are both gone now and my “Rags to Riches” paintings are meant to honor them. The use of rags in the paintings represents their humble beginnings. The shimmering colors are a nod to the richness of the precious metals and stones they worked with all their lives and more importantly, symbolize the riches they left behind: a legacy of family, happiness, and love. 



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Version française


RAGS TO RICHES

C’est l’histoire de mes parents qui m’a inspiré pour créer ma collection de peintures « Rags to Riches ». Papa était un soldat en poste à Londres pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. En 1943, il a rencontré et épousé ma mère britannique. Après la guerre, ils ont commencé avec très peu. Papa travaillait comme coursier pour une entreprise de bijouterie et maman travaillait à temps partiel comme aide-comptable… tout en élevant quatre jeunes enfants. En 1958, ils rachètent une petite entreprise de bijouterie. C'est la partie « Rags » de l’histoire.

 

Mes parents n'ont pas laissé beaucoup d'argent à mes trois frères et sœurs ni à moi. Ils nous ont donné un amour inconditionnel… Des « richesses » qui étaient bien plus précieuses que tout objet matériel qu’ils auraient pu nous donner. Pour moi, la « richesse » n’est pas une question d’argent ou de richesse qu’une personne accumule au cours de sa vie… c’est ce que vous donnez aux autres. C’est l’héritage que vous laissez derrière vous et il se présente sous de nombreuses formes.

 

Pensez au peintre Claude Monet. Il a commencé avec rien. Il empruntait constamment de l'argent et se déplaçait d'un endroit à l'autre pour éviter ses créanciers. Ensuite, les choses ont changé. Il a créé et vendu environ 2 500 tableaux au cours de sa vie. Il est devenu fabuleusement riche. Vincent Van Gogh, quant à lui, a créé environ 2 000 œuvres d'art et est mort sans le sou. En fait, il n’a vendu qu’un seul tableau. Mais on ne se souvient d'aucun des deux peintres pour son argent ou son manque d'argent… les deux artistes ont laissé derrière eux un cadeau incroyable à l'humanité… leur art et ces précieuses pièces.

Maman et papa sont tous deux partis maintenant et mes peintures « Rags to Riches » sont destinées à leur rendre hommage. L'utilisation de chiffons dans les peintures représente leurs humbles débuts. Les couleurs chatoyantes sont un clin d'œil à la richesse des métaux et pierres précieux avec lesquels ils ont travaillé toute leur vie et, plus important encore, symbolisent les richesses qu'ils ont laissées derrière eux : un héritage de famille, de bonheur et d'amour. 

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