Painting for Love and History

My daughter got married this month so there’s been a lot of excitement and joy!

In preparation for their day they asked me to paint the Ketubah (traditional Jewish marriage contract). Once my printer had placed the text where I wanted it, the rest was up to me.

In our discussions before I started the painting, we talked about the background they wanted on it and we tossed around landscapes of various kinds.  They liked my tree paintings best but told me that I could decide and surprise them.

Another type of landscape would have been easier, but I settled on the trees since I knew that was what they really wanted.  Gold and silver paint were added in honor of their wedding. 

When I gave it to my daughter at her bridal shower she loved the addition of those two colours and saw that it was to mark the occasion of their wedding. I love that she and I had the same thoughts and both knew what it all meant.

All my art is essentially a work of love, because it’s what I love to do, but this was a different thing.  When you do something for people you personally love it takes it to a whole other level.  I wanted it to be something they would love for years to come, that it would have meaning at a deeper level just because their mother’s hand was part of it.

As well, a couple’s Ketubah is passed on to later generations. And so my hope and belief is that this painting will be cherished by my family of the future in the generations to come. It’s a piece that I love knowing will have a long history….

And as I see my daughter and son-in-law build their life together, I see that my personal mother’s hand has been a part of that building since my daughter was born. And I will continue to be that person for them as their new life unfolds.  (And hopefully be near enough to babysit sometimes when the grandkids come along!)