The string game is a metaphor for relationships. I am interested in the way we are interwoven together with other people. Our ability to maintain healthy connections with other people has much to do with our ability to communicate and keep our hearts open. We need other people in our lives in order for us to realize our potential as these other people need us to come into theirs. We learn how to relate to others as children with in our family structures. I needed the help of my two daughters Rose and Pearl to create this painting. They were patient with the slow process of taking different poses to find the "right" one. They had to get their hair ready and find outfits that would look good together. I needed the help of photographer Phil Schaafsma to shoot this photo and do the necessary color corrections to make it an accurate reproduction of the painting. The painting itself works because of the built in relationships such as the way the figures relate to the landscape, and to each other. The color harmony was also carefully considered in the process of making the painting. This winter has had me thinking much about how we live our lives interconnected with so many people that we often take for granted. I want to sensitize myself to my need for others and my need for God and live each day in a continual state of thankfulness. Thank you for taking the time to visit this image and to consider this humble thought.
