Hello my friends, is it strange that one quarter of the year is passed already? Time is precious and this month’s story brings that to light in the most profound way. A word of caution before we dive in: this month’s story is about grief and terminal illness. If these topics are too heavy or difficult for you at this time, please feel free to skip it. Take good care of yourself first and foremost.

The painting for this month was a gift for my Dear Friend’s father (to respect their privacy, I’ll refer to her as my Dear Friend throughout this story). I actually created a matching set of paintings, this larger one for Uncle, and a smaller one for my Dear Friend. I sent it to them for Christmas in 2024 in memory of my Dear Friend’s mother.

I met my Dear Friend in grade nine and over the years, our friendship deepened. She was like a sister I never had. We stood at each other’s weddings and she was there for me the day my dad died. In high school, I spent many afternoons and weekends at her place and her parents were always so kind to me. Even though it had been a while since I last saw her parents, it was devastating to receive the news that Auntie had terminal brain cancer.

Auntie was a woman of faith and had the gentlest, kindest heart. A fiercely loving person and always one with a giant smile on her face, her loss left a gaping hole in the world.

After Auntie’s passing, my Dear Friend, her family, and her dad came out to Vancouver where they were able to scatter some of the ashes into the ocean near where Auntie had grown up. When she texted me a photo from the beach that day, I knew I had to paint it for them.

The pair of paintings are titled, “Here She Is” and “She Is Here.” “Here She Is” was to be a reminder of the place Auntie’s ashes were scattered. And “She Is Here” was to remind my Dear Friend that her mother’s love is always with her. (Note: I made a mistake on the calendar and printed the wrong title.)

I chose this piece for the month of April in honour of Auntie who passed on April 16, 2023. Perhaps, too, it is in honour of all those who have loved us deeply and have gone before us. I hope this piece can speak of love’s enduring presence and bring us to places of gratitude for the moments we have been able to share with those closest to us.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
This month’s scripture is from Isaiah 41:10, which says, “Be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” I hope it can be an encouragement to you, whatever challenges you might be facing.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: The cloud formations in this image are quite dynamic. What do you see in them? Who has been an example of a fiercely loving person in your life? How can you love someone today?

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! On the first day of each month, I will be sharing the story behind that month’s painting in my 2026 art calendar and it would be my joy to journey with you throughout this year. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (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 on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: April 2026 – “Here She Is” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.

Hello and welcome to 2026 my friends! There is often a sense of hopefulness at the beginning of a year, isn’t there? The story for this month is a deep and touching one that reflects this sense of hope and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you.

“Linger in the Light” was based off of a photo from a summer evening with my family at French Beach on Vancouver Island. In real life, we are advised to never look at the sun. But in painting form, we can stare for as long as we want. This piece was an invitation to bathe in the sun’s rays and feel its warmth on our skin.

This piece was part of my “Keep Glowing” collection of paintings that I released last April and after I sent out the email announcing the collection to my subscribers, our friends Bill and Mary Lynn replied right away saying that they wanted this piece for their home. We met Bill and Mary Lynn through my husband Tim’s work. They are the sweetest, kindest couple and they have become very dear people to us.

What made their email extra meaningful was that not too long before, Bill had been diagnosed with late stage leukemia. When I saw their message and considered the title for the piece, I teared up. I could not think of anyone more fitting to get a painting titled, “Linger in the Light.” In the months since then, Bill and Mary Lynn have walked the path of cancer treatment with such immense grace and love. It is truly an honour to know that my work accompanies them through this time.

After Bill and Mary Lynn received their painting, I got an email from Bill with the photo (below) of where it lives in their home. Bill wrote, “Perfect! Several times a day I linger in the light. I really do see this as a very specific gift from God for me. Thanks for the part you played in that.” It’s moments like these that affirm the work that I do as an artist.

I chose to begin the 2026 calendar with this piece because we really don’t know how much longer we have with Bill and I wanted him to be able to see his piece in my calendar as well as be reminded to keep praying for them. Sunrises and sunsets can look quite similar, so even though this piece was inspired by a sunset moment, it could just as well represent the dawning of a new day (or, a new year). For our friend who is in this border space between this life and the next, I suppose it is both a sunset and a sunrise.

In addition to Bill’s story, January is also one of the darker months of the year so it felt good to feature an image that was full of light. Where we live in the Pacific Northwest, our days are often grey and overcast so even if there’s no sun outside, this was a way to still have sun inside; to insist that there is always light, even when things feel dark. 

So, my friends, however you might be starting out this new year, may you be encouraged by the light. And may you find the grace to linger in it.

For those with the Scripture calendar:
Going with the theme of light in the darkness, this month’s painting is pared with Psalm 18:28 (ESV) which reads, “The Lord my God lightens my darkness.” I hope it can turn our hearts toward the Source of light, especially when life feels heavy and dark.

Questions for reflection, if you want to go deeper: Does this image feel more like a sunset or a sunrise to you? What parts of your life feel like an ending? What parts of your life feel like a beginning? Consider the invitation to linger in the light – what would that look like in your life? What’s one small way you can linger in the light today?

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! On the first day of each month, I will be sharing the story behind that month’s painting in my 2026 art calendar and it would be my joy to journey with you throughout this year. My subscribers also get occasional perks like exclusive previews and discounts. (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 on Facebook or Instagram. Thanks for being part of my journey and for letting me be a part of yours!

The post Every Painting Has a Story: January 2026 – “Linger in the Light” appeared first on Olive Chan Art.