Details of this painting can be found here. [link]


This was named "The journey" because it was an emotional journey for me to paint it, I wasn't even sure I would ever paint again. (This is my son that recently passed away) It also represented his journey in life. It was stormy and rough but he was always on his way to a better place. I wanted to paint my son's face while I still remembered every detail of it. His hair was down to the middle of his back because he grew it and donated it to 'locks of love', an organization that made real hair wigs for children that lost theirs through sickness. and his beard was long because he thought it looked silly to have a clean shaven face with such long hair. The thing I loved the most about him was his eye's. In his case they really were the window to his soul. I painted him as a viking because I always called him "My viking" because of how he looked. I promised I would paint him as a viking but didn't get it done before he passed away. (I'm very sad about this) This painting looks so much like him that I would cry every time I opened it to paint. I added his name on the spear he is holding in runic alphabet. (He would have gotten such a kick out of that) I wasn't sure if I was going to post this, but I wanted all of you to see my son. Please respect that I don't want critique. I don't care if my viking ships are incorrect or that my ocean isn't exactly right. I only cared that I got my Jeremiah's face right, and I did.

This is dedicated to my son Jeremiah. I miss you son.

I used no reference except for the shape of the spear and the runic alphabet.
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My Viking,
Your Journey Is Over and Mine Has Just Begun

I set before my canvas, trying to keep a promise made in time past.
I see your gentle face before me, its love of life shining through you precious eyes.
I see your smile hidden beneath the determination of taking a new path on your journey that has been placed before you.
I see your giddiness of adventure with the upcoming unknown perils that may be tossed your way.
I see the strength, power, and yet a shyness that flows through you in time of quietness of making decisions.

My Viking, I must paint what I see at this moment, for my eyes fill with tears.
My heart feels like a black hole with no end in sight.
My hands shake at first, but as I paint you from my heart they began to flow with somewhat ease.
Still, My Viking, I must stop if only just for awhile, the visions of you whirl about me so.
Tis too much for me right now, Only the purity of your soul can I allow.

Again, I set before my unfinished canvas of you; your beautiful eyes so full of life look back at me.
It is as if you are saying, “ My lady, where is my hair?”
My heart is breaking, but laughing because that sounds so much like something you would say.
Taking my brush in hand, I began to paint that long hair with those Viking braids on each side.
It’s waves and shininess not quite hidden by your hood.
It reminds me of the beautiful gift you gave to those less fortunate than you; knowing this brings me peace for a part of you still exists for others.

Setting back, I look at what I have painted thus far.
My heart is heavy, tears are falling, but somehow there is a peace that surrounds me.
It is as if you are there beside me telling me, “that’s it my lady, you are getting it.”
“Now, my beard, my lady, how do you see it?” “ I cannot be without my beard!”
While in this semi-bliss, my mind works at capturing you in your viking pose.

Oh my sweet Viking, how I miss you so.
My arms ache to hold you and my lips so much want to tell you I love you.
Looking at your painting that is not quite finished, I have decided to put a spear in your hand.
It shall bare your name; it shall also symbol your strength, courage and humility that you have show throughout your journey.
For your back ground, My Viking, there shall be a scene of the sea and boats as if preparing for a new journey.

As I think these thing in my mind, it plays as if a conversation has taken place between My Viking and me.
My heart and hand came together as one with each stoke I made.
Many tears have fallen, the pain so sharp of missing him, sometimes I felt I could not breathe.
Then, there were times when I found comfort from within the strokes that I painted on this canvas.
In painting MY VIKING, I found a release from the pain that I still held within.

MY VIKING, MY SON, Your journey is over for you are now in your new home.
MY, YOUR LADY, is just beginning a new journey, for painting you the way you were, has given me some release of the pain I felt so.
This beautiful poem that speaks my heart was written by my dear friend Penny Please leave her a comment here. [link]
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I wanted to state that for the first time ever I didn't add a watermark on my work here because I just couldn't bring myself to put a watermark on my son's face. I'm going to trust that people are basically decent and won't steal this. If not then I feel more pity for you than anger.

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