Bax Series
Starting a new series is always exhilarating.
Starting a series dedicated to someone that you know very well is complicated!
When Baxter asked me to paint for him, I of course hesitated.
He is my youngest son. A bundle of talent, drive, determination, dedication,
and open love. He is probably the most like me of my children. I do not say
that as a boast. We have our issues, Bax and I. We love very deeply, wear our
hearts on our sleeves, and react first with emotion. It is not always easy to be
together. We argue about feelings, tough to do. We argue about approach and
kindness, and mostly love to talk and debate and interact about our lives.
He is so complicated and absolutely simple.
He is caring in a fierce way.
He is brave and daring, yet he always worries about others along the way.
He is a total pain, and yet the dearest person you will meet.
When we are both fierce and full of pain, we gnash our teeth, and struggle.
When we are both silly and crazy, there is NO stopping us.
Those are my favorite times.
I remember during a trip to Indonesia just hanging with him for endless great times
and cherishing every moment. We laughed and laughed and cut up for hours.
No one else totally understands our humor. It is endless and based on nothing.
The depth of this Bax Man the Bat Man is his love.
He is engaged in his life with such passion and determination that I am utterly proud of his soul.
He reaches out and grasps things that are beyond most.
He nurtures and nudges the world around him to see it his way.
Whether they do or not, it ends up not mattering - as he is on his way changing the world.
Moms are proud. I get it. I have an abundance to be proud of as a Mom.
I tend to focus on my kids and WHO they are. WHO they influence in their ride.
WHO adores them, and follows their lead.
It is easy to be caught in their wake. They are all making their own waves in life.
I could float along behind (which I see so many parents do),
but instead I tend to applaud from the sidelines.
Enjoy moments in time with them.
Touch them like a butterfly.
Not really distinctly memorable, but always there giving a gentle reminder.
A Mom is a complicated, strong, and emotional connection.
Nothing can break it.
Nothing can make it stop.
Being a part of Baxter by having a small part of the work I do connected to him
is a wondrous thing. I will focus on him and paint for him for a while, and see if
I can show the world my son. Through my heart.
Through my pallette, strokes, and scrapings.
Heres to you Baxie!!
