Pop to Papa

On Friday, July the 13th, Jenny gave birth to our son, Santi, short for Santiago Ilan Fishburn LaChance.  It's hard to find the words to describe the emotions and thoughts that I've been feeling.  Art always seems to help me convey what words just cannot.  

Budai, oil on linen

I painted this the week after Santiago was born. A popular statue in Taiwan called the Budai, or "Laughing Buddha". Legend says this was a Zen monk who wandered around giving candy to children from his hemp sack. He is believed to bring happiness, luck, health, and other aspects of abundance. Budai has visited us and has left us with more candy than we ever imagined!

For all the gory details and pictures of the little guy you will have to visit Jenny's blog.  

Jenny is about to pop.

Jenny's Bump Portrait, oil on linen

Over the past 40 weeks my fiancée, Jenny, has been spearheading the quest for the means to a healthy, natural, and happy pregnancy, taking no prisoners along the way.  This has meant countless books and articles on the subject, long workouts, battling cravings, stinky durian diet, as well as breaking down traditional practices.  And she has done this with an incredible amount of love and determination.  I admire her hard work.  Proud of the mother she is going to be.  And feel very lucky to be able to say, I love her, it's very hard not to.  So, I dedicate this portrait of her at 39 weeks pregnant, to her.  It's the calm before the storm.  Our due date is tomorrow.  Jenny is deep in reflection, it's time to put the books down and just feel it out.  She's gonna be great.

For more about the journey to a healthy, natural, and happy pregnancy, I highly recommend Jenny's blog,

DragonBellyTales.blogspot.com.

Cheers.