Tugging on my memory - A painting by my dad by galenkp

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art · @galenkp · Sep 23 '19

$9.97

Tugging on my memory - A painting by my dad

Today has started poorly - Monday's sometimes do though don't they? I've been dealing with some things on behalf of my dad who is afflicted with dementia and resides in a nursing home. Don't worry, it's nothing of an ultimately serious nature, just a little complicated and uncomfortable as things can be when dealing with a dementia-suffering parent.

Anyway, I've managed to get myself a little behind the eight-ball at work as a consequence however I've decided, mainly due to my mood, to step away for a moment, to *detach*, with a view to come back with renewed vigour this afternoon. I'm at a cafe, on steem, curating for @curangel, and also writing this post of course. Thanks steem, you are a comfort at times, as are those who take the time to comment and engage with me through my posts.

I felt today might be a good opportunity to share another of my dads artworks - The one in the image. I guess it feels right to recall what a brilliant man he was at this point as he, unfortunately, is only a shadow of the person he was due to dementia and other complications.

![P1130080 1.jpeg](https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/galenkp/rTcx6y3x-P1130080201.jpeg)

This is another of his paintings which makes up my personal collection and another of my favourites. Once more, I need to apologise that the photo doesn't do it justice as far as the detail and true colours are concerned, however I think you get the idea. The blacks are not right and some details are hidden though which is a shame - I'm not a great photographer.

The painting shows the *four tugboats* that form the fleet in Port Adelaide; You can see the four masts in red. The workhorses of any port, these tugs push and pull ships around the port and outer harbour ensuring safe and efficient shipping operations in and around the port.

The tug in the foreground is *Tusker*, built in 1983. I can recall driving past these moored tugs as a kid in the mid-1980's and also watching them at work. We'd head down to *The Port* and go for walks, share some fish and chips, curse at the seagulls and do family stuff - I think those memories are why I like this painting so much.

The painting itself is quite large, about two metres square or so, and sitting on my wall at home feels like a window into the real world. The detail dad put into this painting is quite incredible however maybe not as obvious in my image. I love paintings that show reflections on water which he's captured here and he always had a way with clouds.

I have to admit, I'm often left in a somewhat wistful mood when I contemplate my dad's artworks; I think due to his inability to create them now. I was constantly surrounded by my dads creativity when growing up - He was always painting, drawing, creating pottery and he wrote a little too [a sci-fi novel]. He had a great imagination and told pretty good bedtime stories bringing fantastical characters to life, funnily, often making it difficult to fall asleep with a mind full of his creations! He wasn't a perfect dad, I don't think one exists, but he was a good one.

These days I'm like the parent and he the child as I take care of his every need together with the staff at the nursing home though. It's not a cool situation to be in, but one I deal with as there is no one else to do so. Besides, I have my parents to thank for my upbringing, my formative years, and I think they did the best job they knew how at the time.

Life is an interesting thing, is it not? There's moments when it feels endless - A child rarely contemplates much beyond their present. As one travels through life the end, or the fact that there *actually is an end*, starts to hit home. It has been difficult watching my dads decline from the brilliant artist he was, the dad to us kids, but it has also been a good reminder that life is not infinite and that one must take some care with how it's deployed. Waking up one morning and realising that it was squandered wouldn't be a good position to be in I think.

So, there you have it, my tugboats painting courtesy of my dad. I hope you like it, and if not then I hope you took a read of the words and move on contemplating what *your* life is all about and evaluating your deployment of it.

Thanks for reading and as always I'll leave you with my ethos.
***
**_Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default_**

Discord: @galenkp#9209 🇦🇺
@curangel curator

👍 theycallmedan, appreciator, michealb, tarazkp, gooddream, redes, neoxian, shaka, m31, busy.pay, laputis, smasssh, abigail-dantes, meesterboom, organduo, ausbitbank, chinchilla, blank7, centerlink, etherpunk, blewitt, steem-ua, ctrpch, abh12345, newageinv, preparedwombat, sharpshot, cryptocurator, celestal, simplymike, russia-btc, mehta, erode, quochuy, biffybirdcam, balticbadger, positiveninja, angryman, j85063, suonghuynh, giphy, insaneworks, photographercr, obvious, skramatters, ryivhnn, allover, caab, b00m, smartvote, ginnyannette, minismallholding, bluesniper, steemitboard, mytechtrail, blessed-girl, yehey, doitvoluntarily, urs, anti-fraud, accelerator, lordvdr, adigitalife, culam92, and 105 others
👎 grenai

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@angryman · Sep 23 '19

Your writing about your father is touching, and it is a pleasure to see the artistic talent portrayed in his work. Your photographic skills here are not bad...magnificent as the painting is I suspect it to be much more impressive when viewed with the eye alone.

His attention to detail is apparent, and awe inspiring. Not being able to see the brushwork, takes nothing away from it's beauty.

You remind me of my own son in the way *he* has always been the most eager collector of my limited paintings over the years, though I don't know if he keeps them in the closet most of the time, bringing them out to display just before I visit...??? :>)

Thanks for sharing your fathers work, and small portion of your life with him.