Here we are, at the beginning of the third month of the year. I have been looking forward to sharing this month’s story with you all as it carries many layers of meaning and is a very personal story. It might be a tad longer than usual but I do hope you will make yourself a nice warm cup of yumminess and tuck into this story with me. 🙂
“Invisible Essence” was a gift to my mom for her new apartment in BC after she relocated following my dad’s passing. When she bought the place, I knew that I wanted to paint her something special for above her fireplace. I wasn’t sure what to paint though so I let the idea percolate.
In June 2023, my mom and I took a trip back to Toronto. It was her first time being back since her move out west. The last time I was there was to say goodbye to my dad. So, it was a significant trip for us. On the final full day we were there, we visited Milne Dam Conservation Park, which was the spot where we had scattered most of my dad’s ashes. I had vivid memories of watching the ashes fall from the little landing where we stood overlooking the water. However, back in 2019 it was March and there was no lush greenery. As we sat looking out over that place again, I knew this was what needed to paint for my mom. She heartily agreed.
After we returned to Vancouver, I asked my mom what kind of sky she would want for her painting and she sent me a couple options of photos she had taken from her new place. I did a couple of digital mockups and we decided that the sunbeams filtering through the clouds (also called crepuscular rays) was the best one. Thus, “Invisible Essence” was born.
As I painted this piece, I decided to add a little extra light to the bottom left corner to highlight where the landing was. I think you can understand why this spot was particularly special to me.
Now, what you cannot see is the painting underneath this painting. The canvas I used for “Invisible Essence” was one that I built and stretched by hand in high school art class back in 2000. My original project was a painting of a spotlight shining on a coin purse with an assortment of feathers, leaves, twigs, rocks, and pinecones. Written in childish writing above it was the quote, “L’essentiel est invisible pour les yeux,” which is French for “The essential is invisible to the eyes.” This was a quote from one of my all-time favourite books, “Le Petit Prince” (The Little Prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The original painting had been an exploration of what was actually important in life. To a child, these little trinkets of nature are more valuable than money. And it was an invitation for us as adults to evaluate what we considered valuable.
My parents hung my high school project up on their wall for many, many years (a bit to my embarrassment). And even when they downsized, they kept it. When my mom moved across the country, I asked if she could pack it up and send it along with her other stuff. I had wanted to give it a second life.
When I was thinking about what to name the new piece, I thought about the quote that had originally been on it. “Invisible Essence,” represented to me not only a nod to the words by Saint-Exupéry, but also the fact that my dad’s spirit – his essence – is now invisible to us, and that this painting of the place where his bodily cells now reside is but a representation of the person who matters to us and the love that continues to ripple onward.
March is the month that marks both my dad’s birthday and his death anniversary, so I will always associate this month with him. I have written before about how he was instrumental to fostering my artistic pursuits (you can read it here). Featuring this painting for this month in the calendar was an easy decision.
This month will be 6 years without him. It is bittersweet to see how my family, my mom, and I have flourished and to wish he was here to see it. If you think of us this month, do reach out and send some love our way. It’s a hard month for me (and my mom).
For those with the Scripture calendar:
I chose scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIRV) to go with this month’s painting because it expresses both the reality of the present and reminds us of the hope we have for the future. “Now we see only a dim likeness of things. But someday we will see clearly. We will see face to face.” The essential may be invisible to our eyes right now, but it won’t always be so.
Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Which part of this painting draws you in? When you think about things that are invisible but essential in your life, what comes to mind? In what ways are you carried forward by those things?
If you enjoyed this post and want to read a monthly art story, remember to sign up so future posts get delivered to your email! Throughout 2025, we will be hearing the stories behind each month’s painting in my art calendar. (Add me to your contacts list or you might need to check your promotions or junk folders if you don’t see the email.)
As always, I love to hear from you! If something in this story resonated with you, if you’re interested in commissioning a painting, or if you have other thoughts, feel free to email, or connect with me.