Derek Beach

 Derek Beach was diagnosed with stage four Hodgkins Lymphoma in October 2008.  Two weeks later he married the love of his life, Kaela.  In July 2009, they welcomed their son Camden into their lives.  Derek received his first bone marrow transplant just a few weeks later.  Derek continued to battle cancer enduring radiation, chemotherapy, and another transplant, all with an incredible attitude.  Derek always tried to have a smile on his face.  Our Heavenly Father called Derek home about two weeks ago.  Kaela has been my daughter in law Anamin's best friend for many years.
It was my pleasure to help Anamin give this
gift to her sweet friend Kaela.
May Kaela and Camden be blessed
as they remember Derek's wonderful
qualities.  

This commissioned painting was done for Alison Olson.  I took it from an old black and white photo.  Alison lost her father when she was a little girl and wanted a painting to remind her of him.  The picture is of her sister, her father and Alison.  The title of the painting came to me as I studied their faces and realized that it was Christmas time when the snapshot was taken.  I tried to convey a snapshot of the relationship she had with her father in the painting. 

Comfort and Joy

Shane and Anamin

I wanted to get a painting done of Shane and Anamin before they left for school in the fall.  I am so proud of these kids.  They moved into my parents home a month before my mother passed away because they knew she need extra help.  None of us expected Mom to go so soon.  These kids have wonderful memories of having dinner with my parents almost every night and of praying with them everyday as a family.  When my mother took a turn for the worse, Shane was the one who called me.  "Something happened with Grandma last night.  She was disoriented and Grandpa and I got her into bed but she has not responded today."  My heart sunk because I knew what this meant.  I was going to loose my mother.  Mom died the next day.  I am so thankful that Shane and Anamin were there and are still there helping my father deal with the loss.  It is such a blessing that Shane has been accepted to PA school in Loma Linda, but we will all miss them.  I think my father will miss them the most!   

Hold Your Head Up High Sister

This Christmas 2013 I wanted to do a painting of each of my grandchildren.  I hadn't painted my little grand daughter yet so this one is really for her.  She is so in love with her big brother, so I included him.  Each day when Karson gets home from school he is greeted by his little sister's high pitched squeal, "Hi Karson!"  Shea greets everybody like they are her long lost friends.  She has taught me the importance of making others feel welcome by the way you greet them.    

Josh

This year I was able to paint some pictures for my children's Christmas.  This painting is of Josh, Kami and Tyler's second son.  Josh wants to communicate and is really trying and is having some success.  However even without speaking his eyes say so much!