Shan
April 25, 2024
This is a painting of my mom, Joan, and my mother-in-law, Shan. I painted it in 2017 from a black and white photo taken of the two of them at a college sorority party. It’s big, 60x60, and it hangs in our kitchen. There probably aren’t many people who would want to look at their mom and mom-in-law that often. And that big!😂
This last weekend we drove up to Oklahoma City to see my 96 year old mother-in-law, Shan. She has been such an encouraging role model in my life and is one of my biggest cheerleaders. Although her body is frail, her mind is still strong and sharp and she loves to get caught up on her 15 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren. (Wow!) There are so many reasons I love this woman, but I think the main one is how she loved my mother. They were friends as children and all through college but drifted apart for a few years, each raising a family of their own. My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2007 and with that news, a number of people didn’t know how to handle it or react to her. Later, as the disease progressed, more and more of her friends stopped calling and checking in, probably because it’s hard to know what to say. I get it. But Shan never gave up. Mom couldn’t remember a lot of her friends but she asked about Shan until close to the end. Shan was there for her, and for me, during those 12 years. Why am I telling you this? Because she continues to show me how we each play a unique role in one another’s lives. Shan, through her love and support, has reminded me that I, too, am called to encourage others through my art as well as my life. No matter what others say or think, I need to be my authentic self.
As I begin to crawl out from under my rock and expose myself a bit at a time, I thank you for coming along with me on my journey. This week I am finishing a few more of my commissions and am excited to open up space for new opportunities! I’m also continuing to get the studio space set up. Moving from a small extra bedroom to a big warehouse space is wonderful but also has its challenges! Hopefully, when we get back from our summer in Santa Fe, I can have an open house to show you where I hang out!
Remember to check out my website by pushing the above button under the painting or go to LynnSamisArt.com. I’d love to help you find something for your walls!
Have a wonderful day! And thank you again for being on this journey with me. I hope you, too, have a Shan in your life.
Bye for now!
Lynn