Month 11. Barlow, Derbyshire. 15th – 21st January 2023

Welcome to my blog recording my eleventh month of painting as part of my one-year project of twelve art road trips.

This month was a tough one as Dad was in palliative care.

I took the van to a rural site between Chesterfield and Sheffield, which worked well as it was only a 30-minute drive to Dad’s house where he was being nursed.

The camp site was great. Quiet and private and had some lovely woodland paths perfect for dog walking.

This quick sketch was created after a late afternoon dog walk where I encountered this little pony.

I also painted this picture of a woody path. The sunlight was catching the foliage of the trees and grasses. The pathway leads to who knows where.

After spending the first three days of the road trip travelling backwards and forwards to see Dad, on day four I decided to take the van and park outside Dad’s bungalow. The rest of the trip was spent with sister Kathryn and Dad, we were supported by Dad’s lovely carers, especially Jan who took good care of me and Kathryn, as well as Dad.

How do you say goodbye to someone you’ve known all your life, for 51-years?

Who loved you unconditionally, whatever you did, however you looked and whatever mistakes you made.

Whatever upset and changes I’ve had in my life, he’s never questioned me. He’s supported me unconditionally.

I painted this picture from a photo of me, dad, and Kathryn.

I woke up during the Friday night when the district nurse team came to help Dad with more pain killers.

It felt like me, Kathryn and Dad were in our own little world, in Dad’s perfect bungalow, removed from normal life. I found a bit of cardboard and painted this simple picture of how it felt.

On Saturday 21st we got up and made a cup of tea. Dad was pain free and we listened to his breathing change. We talked gently to him and told him we loved him.

At 8.15am Dad passed away peacefully with me and my sister Kathryn by his bed side.