Years ago I donated this painting to the Circle of Art, a lovely fundraising tradition in my hometown of Saline, Michigan. Each spring artists donate pieces that are then auctioned off to friends and collectors. The proceeds go to the Food Gatherers of Ann Arbor. My dear friend (and favorite human) Stephen Kerr was very involved in the fundraiser, recruiting many of his friends and former students to participate. We lost Stephen last year, but he tends to find lovely ways to say hello and remind us of all that is good in the world.
Yesterday, Stephen said hello!
Out of the blue, I received a text with this snapshot of a painting I made many moons ago. Very springy! Very happy! The text was from the art teacher at the elementary school where Stephen used to teach. I connected with him last fall when collaborating on a lovely tribute to our mentor Stephen. His name is Kevin and he was just reaching out to say that he and his young daughter had come across this piece I made, which they had acquired some time ago at the Circle of Art event. He told me it made his day to find it again; they had hung it on the wall in his daughter’s room. I let him know that they had made my day right back!
And that was Stephen’s way of making everyone’s day!