Dreams And Opportunities

Dreams and Opportunities: Life on the Prairies

36 x 30"

oil on canvas

© Nicki Ault, 2012

sold

When I had my show at O'Reilly Insurance earlier this year, Declan O'Reilly's favorite painting was Kindness and Joy: Life on the Prairies. He said it reminded him of when he first came to Canada from Ireland many years ago. One of his first memories was walking through a grassy field with low bushes to get to a cabin. Kindness and Joy was put on hold with a second painting by someone that came to the show, but she ended up buying the other one. I have to admit that as soon as I got word of her decision I breathed a sigh of relief. I immediately knew I couldn't sell Kindness and Joy- the reality of my attachment to it had become clear. The problem was Declan decided he wanted it! I explained that I didn't think I wanted to sell it, but had plans to create another version of the painting for Family Tree (the tree-themed show I did with my Dad in May). If it turned out, perhaps he would be interested in it or maybe I would keep the new version and he could then have Kindness and Joy.

I was extremely pleased with the result of the new painting and that is what you see above. Happily, Declan was thrilled, too. After he made the decision to purchase it I told him the story of Kindness and Joy and how I titled it because of a friend whose initials are K.J. (read about it here). I then let him know that this new painting, Dreams and Opportunities, was titled in honour of him- the D and O coming from Declan O'Reilly. He followed his dreams to Canada, and eventually the prairies, as a young man searching for a better life with more opportunities. It is hard to imagine how scary and difficult that must have been even though it was likely exciting, too. And Declan gave me the opportunity to follow my dreams by providing space to show my art in his office. I think he was touched and I was happy to thank him in that way.

And that is the story I promised I would tell in my last post.