Sunday, June 30, 2013

PingSee

I knew it would take me a while before I could post again, but I never knew that it would take me this long. Apart from moving my wife from Mississippi to Texas, re-adjusting our lifestyles or living together, purchasing and building a new house... we thought that life could not get more exciting. I was so wrong.
In between, my wife's grandma got so sick for weeks she had to be admitted to the ICU, and we have learned that UTI(Urinary Tract Infection) affects elderly very differently than younger people. It's very dangerous so here's the link where you can read more about it and understand it better.

In parallel to that, my cousin was battling acute cancer in ICU 10,000 miles away. We later found out that she had been in pain for over 10-years but didn't really go for a thorough medical check-up and just toughened herself up and dealt with the pain. Just a few months ago she finally decided to get herself treated, only to find out later that her body was failing and shutting down. She battled the disease for about a month, and passed away a month before her 45th birthday.
Until today, I still see her face when I close my eyes. I hear her voice and laughter when I think of her. She's more like a sister to me, and probably the kindest and most hardworking person I've know. She's worked for the same company for over 20 years and had lived a modest lifestyle. She's caring and loving towards people around her and loved by people she surrounded herself with. She will forever be missed, and her absence forever felt,  the gap she had left in so many hearts will be filled only memories of her and the comfort of knowing that she's no longer in pain.

This is by far the hardest tribute sketch I had to do, and tears were rolling making it hard for me to see what I was doing. This is for PingSee, my beloved cousin.
Pencil on Moleskine Sketchbook (3.5x5.5")

41 comments:

  1. Oh Alex. I am so sad to hear all this news. I will be thinking of you. This portrait of your dear cousin is beautifully rendered and I think made all the more beautiful by your tears shed in the making.i am truly sorry for your loss.

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    1. Thank you Jennifer. I had to lie to my wife saying that my allergy was kicking in when I was drawing. :) She knew.

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  2. thank you for sharing this wonderful tribute to your cousin. I too feel for you.All the best for the future.

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    1. Appreciate it Sandy. I hope she's seeing this from above, and probably giggling during the process too.

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  3. What sad news, Alex! my thoughts go to you and your family.
    Your drawing is a lovely, affectionate tribute that will help you remember this nice person.

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    1. She won't be forgotten for sure. She has this unique laughter and voice, and you just know that you can act silly with her. Thanks Martine

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  4. How sad and what a loss. Your tribute was not just the sketch but the wonderfully written words. God bless.

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  5. A loving tribute to someone you cared deeply about.

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    1. I do care a lot about her, but I just wished that she was given more time so that at least my wife would get to know her in person. Ah well...perhaps next life.

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  6. Alex you have paid her such a wonderful tribute both with your lovely drawing and the words, an account of a life well lived and full of love. Thinking of you.

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    1. Awww.. that's sweet Jane. Thank you very much!

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  7. Alex, so sorry. Beautifully and sensitively drawn and written.

    All thoughts...

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  8. Even though it was hard it was good that you took to art to express your love.

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    1. Boy I am not sure how many tissues I've used up just to wipe my tears off and blowing my nose... I could probably do it in less than 2 hours, but it took me 3 instead.

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  9. Alex sorry to hear of your family's loss and of your other family stresses, it is a beautiful drawing

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    1. Thank you Kathleen. My family is still grieving over her, but we'll be fine.

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  10. Beautiful Alex, and what a fitting tribute from the heart. This is a priceless drawing. I read something just this morning that fits so appropriately, especially to this particular piece of art you have drawn.

    "Art, although produced by man’s hands, is something not created by hands alone, but something which wells up from a deeper source out of our soul." Vincent van Gogh

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    1. That's something new I am learning from Van Gogh :) As always Cindy, thank you for keeping me strong and always willing to listen. Most of all, thanks for praying for her. You're amazing!

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  11. You've surely been having some tough issues. There is no tribute greater than having loved someone so much as you did your cousin but your drawing is a fine expression of it! I hope your wife's grandmother recovers well and you two can get on with enjoying life a little. By the way you describe your cousin she will be rooting for you to do just that. So sorry for your pain though.

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    1. Timaree, I'm glad to tell that my wife's grandma is doing much better. It's really sad to lose my cousin, but I am glad that she doesn't have to suffer any longer.

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  12. Really lovely tribute to PingSee, and not only the beautiful drawing but the words you wrote about her and your thoughts she left you with. Really stunning drawing and I love how you left everything B/W but her lips. Im so sorry for your loss and I hope your wifes grandmother will recover well. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.

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    1. I really appreciate it Mari. :) Yeah...I kinda wanted to show how red her lips always were...and that's how I remember her.... and of course her laughter...too bad I can't draw that.
      Anyway, my wife's grandma is doing a lot better. Thanks for your regards.

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  13. My sympathies Alex with your loss. What a loving portrait you made. Wishing you strength in these difficult times.

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    1. Thank you very much Caatje. I do need all the luck I could get, and all these support and kind words from our EDM community truly are helping in granting me strengths.
      =)

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  14. Sorry to hear about your loss! Best wishes and warm thoughts for you and your family.

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  15. Alex, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved PingSee. Your portrait of her is so warm and beautiful; her lovely personality shines through. Wishing you and your family the best.

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    1. Thanks Yvonne. It's hard, but we'll find the courage to help us to move on.

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  16. Hello Alex,
    I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss.
    Your beautiful portrait is a fitting tribute to PingSee.
    As I'm writing this, I am waiting for a phone call to hear if my cancer can be treated.
    PingSee will never be forgotten and this wonderful portrait will help keep her memory.
    Stew.

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    1. Stew, I really hope that you're going to be able to get treated and get well again. I am sorry that you are going through something similar, and most people don't even realize that everyone has cancer cells and we do need to watch what we eat, drink and what we expose ourselves to in order to subdue the growth.
      I'll be praying for you Stew.

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  17. This is a beautifully drawn portrait, one of your best. So sad to hear about your cousin, she sounded like a brave & kind woman.

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    1. Yes she was Cathy :) She's got this distinct laughter that I will always remember. Thanks.

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  18. I am so very sorry, Alex. Yours is a beautiful tribute - both the portrait and the words. Cancer is so insidious. I lost an employer and my father-in-law to cancer and my sister-in-law has a tough sort that is somehow in remission. It is an insidious disease that needs to be wiped out. It seems to be everywhere.

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    1. Unfortunately it is Dan, and everyone is fighting the disease everyday. It's just sad.

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  19. You have chosen a beautiful way to grieve. The picture is gift to others to remember such a special person.

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    1. Thank Sandra. She was a wonderful person, and I really don't know how else I could describe her.

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  20. Great work Alex, don't know how I missed this...better late than never

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  21. This touched me - I am sorry for your loss

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