On Eagles Wings- In Memorium of

This blog story is going to be quite different than most because this painting session was unique.   I was blessed to meet and work with a pretty amazing woman!   I would like to introduce you to Shelly, a new and dear friend, who was introduced to me by our mutual friend Jennifer.   Shelly's story and the painting is best shared in her words.  Shelly, your painting is amazing, and so are you.  For someone who in your own words, "has no artistic ability", I think you took a leap of faith and painted a beautiful memorial that will always remind you of your dad.   I love you!

And here is her story:

My dad Tom Veigh was tragically taken in a car accident on May 22, 2012. It broke so many people's hearts to lose him that day. Thankfully he had a strong Christian faith which has helped my family to get through this, knowing he is in a much better place.


He was truly a genuine man and his family was the most important thing in his life! He had so many great qualities, a loyal husband to my mom, a loving Papa to my boys, he was like a father to my husband, and he was the best dad a girl could ever ask for he was always there for me whenever I needed him!

My entire family loves deer hunting! Thanksgiving week is our family tradition the whole family gets together and we all hunt. This last hunting season was my best year ever I got a nice buck and a doe on opening day. I truly felt his spirit was with me, I know he would have been so proud of me!

My dad enjoyed riding his Harley! We would always tease him because in his car he would always go at least 10 miles under the speed limit, but not when he was out on his bike.

He had such a passion for nature he especially enjoyed bird watching and his favorite of all were the eagles. We often see them up north at my parents home soaring so beautifully over the Wolf river. Anytime I see one now it brings a smile to my face and reminds me of him!!

Time has healed some of the pain but I still miss him every single day! The one thing I have learned is how fast things can change in our lives, things taken for granted. I now more than ever before take time to really enjoy all the little moments and all the blessings in my life. Life is short,  but I know someday without a doubt that my family will all be together again in heaven.

I love you dad so much and miss you every single day!
Love you always and forever
Your Daughter

I want to give a special thank to Jenny White for this wonderful gift, it has meant so much to me! What an amazing memorabilia of my dad! I have had such a great time painting with Jill she is so talented and I could not have done this without her!

Our first session wrapped up here. 

Our second meeting:  Shelly took  photographs of the backyard of her parent's home on the Wolf River as inspiration for the tree placement of our landscape.  One of the trees grows crooked and has an eagle's nest in it.  I had sketched in their locations with pencil before we met for painting.   

In these pictures you can see her dad's ring, which she had re-sized and wears as a reminder of him.

Shelly, I will forever remember your fear of the tree!  ha ha!

You did it!!!!  Just the eagle was left!

Our last session was painting in the eagle.  I sketched it in our "heavenly sky" and then painted along-side her to show her some tricks!  Here's my canvas which I would use to show her different techniques....You can see a mess of stuff!   Also, my eagle getting filled in as I show her some techniques! :)

And here is a close up of her finished eagle!  Wonderful!

 You who dwell in the shelter of the Lord
Who abide in His shadow for life
Say to the Lord
"My refuge, my rock in whom I trust!"

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

The snare of the fowler will never capture you
And famine will bring you no fear
Under His wings your refuge
His faithfulness your shield.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

You need not fear the terror of the night
Nor the arrow that flies by day
Though thousands fall about you
Near you it shall not come.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand.

For to His angels He's given a command
To guard you in all of your ways
Upon their hands they will bear you up
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

And He will raise you up on eagles' wings
Bear you on the breath of dawn
Make you to shine like the sun
And hold you in the palm of His hand... 

composed by Michael Joncas, a priest, in 1979. Its words are loosely based on Psalm 91 and Isaiah 40:31

God's blessing Shelly!  May you always smile when you look at your painting, and remember your wonderful earthly father as well as your loving, heavenly one.